Curle: The 'whole changing room' is talking about Cobblers fans returning to the PTS

Cobblers boss Keith Curle says 'the whole changing room' is excited about the prospect of playing in front of their supporters again.

Saturday's visit of Doncaster Rovers is due to be the first match at the PTS since March with fans in the ground. Around 1,000 season ticket holders are set to attend the pilot event with 2,000 then allowed in for the following home game against Lincoln City on December 19 if everything to plan.

"It's something the whole changing room has been talking about," said Curle. "There's an anticipation about getting fans back into the stadium.

"If the numbers are favourable, I think it will increase very, very quickly because there's a need for football to be back on the agenda and back on the menu for a lot of households, not just people who are directly involved in the sport.

"I think it's a release for a lot of supporters and it's important for people's mental health. Husbands, boyfriends, other halves, it's a chance for them to get out of the house and they can shout and scream at their favourite team and then they go back home full of joy after seeing a good game and, hopefully, a good result. It makes the weekend very enjoyable."

You have to go all the way back to March 7 for the last time Cobblers supporters watched their team up close when they were beaten 2-1 by Mansfield Town in League Two.

Cobblers have played 23 games and won a promotion behind closed doors since, but even so Curle does not believe it will be a 'weird' experience to play in front of fans again.

"I don't think so, no, not for me," Curle added. "I like the build-up and I like the atmosphere surrounding matchdays and there's nothing better the want and anticipation of supporters before kick-off.

"Make a good start to the game and then you get a bounce in the stadium, especially at this football club whether it's Saturday or Tuesday night. It'll be excellent to have that again."