Curle hopes to have key players back for festive period

Cobblers boss Keith Curle hopes to have one or two key players back from injury in time for Town's back-to-back home games against Gillingham and Sunderland either side of New Year's Day.

Alan Sheehan has been a significant miss for the last four matches, all of which have ended in defeat, and Jack Sowerby was also absent for Saturday's home loss to Lincoln City.

Joseph Mills and Scott Pollock continue to work their way back to full fitness following long-term injuries while Shaun McWilliams will return from suspension for the visit of Gillingham.

"You've got to say we have some key players missing with the likes of Joseph Mills and Joseph Mills," said Curle. "Jack Sowerby also pulled out 10 minutes before the end of training on Friday so we had to change our plans then.

"They are good players with good experience and good character and form part of the defence and midfield that we need.

"We hope we can get some of them back and those players are working hard to get back fit. It's not as if they don't fancy it and they want another week. They all want to get back and they want to be involved and playing and that's the attitude we want."

But Curle knows it will take more than returning players for Cobblers to turn around their poor form.

He added: "The best way to instil confidence is by winning games. It's easier said than done and we know we've taken a step up but when you take a step up, the players need to take that step up as well and we know every game we go into, we're up against good players and good teams.

"We need to up our game. A lot of work will go on for the players and the coaches between now and Boxing Day and I do sincerely wish every single supporter of the football club a Merry Christmas."