Defender Martin departs Cobblers and returns to League Two club

Experienced defender Joe Martin has left the Cobblers and returned to League Two outfit Stevenage on a deal until the end of the season.

The 32-year-old, who came through the youth system at Tottenham Hotspur, signed for Northampton from Stevenage in the summer of 2018 and made 32 appearances in all competitions. He previously played for Blackpool, Gillingham, Millwall and Bristol Rovers.

Martin has struggled for game-time this season, especially since the signings of Alan Sheehan and Lloyd Jones, while Peter Kioso has also joined on loan and with his contract up at the end of the season, he has been allowed to return to the Lamex Stadium.

Martin made 11 appearances in all competitions for the Cobblers this season and only six in the league, the last coming at Crewe Alexandra on December 12 when he was controversially sent off.

That was his second red card of the season after he was also dismissed for two yellow cards at Bristol Rovers in October. He was given a further match suspension for using foul and abusive language towards a match official following his sending off at Gresty Road.