Guthrie set to make playing return as Nolan reveals plan to field strong side against Shrewsbury in EFL Trophy tie

The Cobblers skipper and experienced centre-half has not played since injuring his ACL on New Year’s Day, but he has been back in the last two matchday squads and should play some minutes at Sixfields tomorrow night.

"Guths nearly came on at the end on Saturday,” said manager Kevin Nolan. “He was ready to go, which was great, but we didn't use him in the end. But I'm 99 per cent sure you will see Jon Guthrie back on the turf on Tuesday and that'll be a great sight and I'm looking forward to it.”

Cobblers have already qualified for the knockout stage of the Vertu Trophy but Nolan still plans to go strong for the visit of Michael Appleton’s League Two strugglers as they look to wrap up top spot in Southern Group C and therefore secure a home tie in the next round.

The players who started Saturday’s win over Mansfield on the bench are likely to come into the team – such as Michael Jacobs and Lee Burge – while the likes of Max Dyche and Michael Forbes could be back involved.

"I told all the lads after Saturday that they will all be involved again on Tuesday,” Nolan added. “I want to win and I want to build momentum, especially because we haven't got that Saturday game at the weekend due to the international break.

"We want to go into the Cardiff game next week with two wins under our belt because that will put us in good shape and in a good mindset and hopefully we get the win we need to win the group. That'll give us a home tie in the next round, which is what we want.”

A draw or a defeat by one goal would be enough to seal top spot but anything more than a one-goal loss would see Cobblers finish second and face an away tie. Shrewsbury must win to go through. The first knockout round is likely to take place on December 2nd.