Curle keen to take a closer look at trio of trialists

Keith Curle has confirmed that the Cobblers have taken three players on trial with the view of potentially signing them further down the line.

The three players all featured in Wednesday's inter-club match against the youth team as Harry Smith notched a hat-trick in Town's 5-0 victory at a sodden PTS Academy Stadium.

One of the three trialists started up front and scored the second goal with a thunderous finish into the top corner, while another played in an attacking midfield role and the third lasted the full 90 at centre-back.

"We're looking at them," said Curle. "Every player that we bring into the building is an opportunity for them to showcase their ability and for us to take a look at them.

"It's about if I see them being part of the jigsaw puzzle. It's not something that's going to be done over the weekend, it'll take a little bit of time and it's about getting the right pieces.

"Sometimes you might have the right piece but it doesn't quite fit right now so you keep it in the corner of the box knowing where it is as and when needed.

"We're looking at players to build a squad but then within that squad, you need to turn it into a team."

Although the Cobblers are short on numbers ahead of Saturday's first pre-season friendly against Leyton Orient, Curle has insisted the club will not be dragged into a bidding war.

"We're working and we're looking," he added. "We've missed out on a few but that's football.

"If we get into a bidding war and we're competing, I put a value on players that I take to the club and that's the housekeeping because it's about the value I put on players.

"We paid a nominal fee for Charlie (Goode) and got rewards so we're in the market if I see value and I can sell the value to the football club.

"If our valuation is matched and they see the same potential, then we make a move. But what we don't do is get involved in bidding wars and pay what we can't afford to."