Curle hints at changes as Cobblers vow to 'give it everything' in second leg

Town head to Whaddon Road this evening
Keith Curle talks to his players during a drinks break in the first leg.Keith Curle talks to his players during a drinks break in the first leg.
Keith Curle talks to his players during a drinks break in the first leg.

Cobblers boss Keith Curle could be tempted to freshen things up when his side head to Whaddon Road to take on Cheltenham Town in the play-off semi-final second leg this evening.

Cobblers trail 2-0 following the first leg after they were beaten by goals from Charlie Raglan and Conor Thomas at the PTS last Thursday.

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But Curle believes his side are still well in the tie, particularly if they grab the first goal in tonight's return fixture.

"We started both halves very well on Thursday," he said. "We were on the front foot and we asked them questions.

"You got to give their goalkeeper credit because he stood up to it but we know on another night we get the run of the ball and we score goals.

"I can't fault the players for their effort, commitment and mentality because they were all very good. It's disappointing that we didn't get the run of the ball but it's a two-legged affair and overall things will go our way.

"It's still all to play for, without a shadow of a doubt."

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Top scorer Sam Hoskins returns for the Cobblers tonight and following just three weeks of training, and with such a quick turnaround between matches, Curle could well make a few changes.

But he's hopeful of having Callum Morton available after the West Brom striker was substituted during the first leg.

"The lad has had a hamstring problem," added Curle. "He missed the latter stages of games before the break with his hamstring problem so it was precautionary because I need him fit and I need him available.

"The substitutions means we still have a full quota of players to pick from and there could be some changes, especially with Sammy Hoskins now available as well."

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Defender Jordan Turnbull is also optimistic of a comeback this evening.

"We've got to stay positive," he said. "Obviously we were hurting after the first leg and things didn't quite fall for us.

"But we have to be positive because we're only halfway through the tie and there's another game so it's all to play for. We have to go there and we have to score first.

"We've worked hard this season and we don't want to let it slip so we'll give it everything in the second leg."

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