Curle: Holmes has already been knocking on my door wanting to be put in the team!

Ricky Holmes has already been 'knocking on the door' of manager Keith Curle asking to be put in the team such is his eagerness to get back out onto the pitch and play for the Cobblers again.

The 33-year-old, who will wear shirt number 21 in his second spell at the club, returned to Town on an appearance-based contract this week, and while it may have been nearly two years since he last played a competitive fixture, his passion for the game remains undiminished.

Holmes has worked hard with fitness coach Pablo Garcia to overcome a back injury and having trained with the squad and then agreed a contract just this week, he wasted no time in trying to convince Curle to get him in the team.

"He wants to play tonight, he wants to play on Saturday, he wants to play on Monday and he'll want to play the following game," said Curle. "But it's great to have him around.

"He's an enthusiastic character and for a diminutive figure he's got a lot to say! But the changing room thrives off that and Ricky isn't afraid of anyone on the football pitch and give him a ball, he'll deliver.

"I think it'll lift everyone at the club. It's like the Gareth Bale affect at Tottenham because it's very similar to Ricky Holmes coming back to Northampton.

"The lad has got a spring in his step and he wants to play. He's already talking about his squad number and he's already knocking on my door saying 'I want to play, get me in the team now'.

"He wants to play because he wants to help the team. He's been training with us for six or seven weeks and he knows he can add something to us. Having that hunger and having that desire in and around the changing room is excellent.

"He's a very good professional and he understands the game and he understands what's required of him. When things aren't going well and if someone's not doing something he wants them to do, he's another general and he will pull people up.

"That's the same with Nicky Adams and Sam Hoskins. They may not be the biggest of people but they're big characters and they understand the football club."