Curle will not rush McCormack back despite successive defeats

The 36-year-old is seen as a key cog in Curle's midfield and was integral to Northampton's march up the table when starting eight of 10 games in the autumn as they went from 18th to promotion contenders.

But McCormack arrived at the PTS last summer with an iffy fitness record and he continues to be blighted by injury having not played since Boxing Day. He also missed two months at the start of the season.

Cobblers could do with his experience and quality in the team after consecutive home defeats but Curle remains reluctant to rush him back and will instead take a long-term view, aware that the former Luton man may be valuable during the run-in.

"He's involved in training again but we've had to slightly modify it because he wants to do more than what the medical department need him to be doing at the minute," said Curle.

"The lad wants to sprint before he can walk, so to speak, and we're mindful of his injury record but there's a process that's in place that he has to adhere to so when he does come back, we don't have him for two or three games, we have him for a sustained period of time.

"The supporters are probably as frustrated as Alan because they had a glimpse of what he was about earlier in the season.

"We were able to have a sustained period of time with him being available and it was no coincidence that when he was playing, we went on a good run.

"So Alan is important to the team but he needs to know that every decision we make is made for the betterment of both himself and the team."

Curle also provided an update on James Olayinka, adding: "James is having treatment with us and with Arsenal which keeps both medical departments on the same page.

"He's out of his protective boot now so he's able to put weight on it. It's an ankle sprain which takes a little bit of time to settle down.

"When he's able to get it moving, I think everybody saw and had a glimpse of what the lad can add to us on his debut."