Hammond to be given his chance as Cobblers consider option to sign Forest duo

The 21-year-old has made only one appearance since joining Cobblers on loan on deadline day in February – a brief cameo in the EFL Trophy tie at Wimbledon – and is yet to feature in a matchday squad for a league game. His Forest team-mate Kyle McAdam, by contrast, has played six times and registered one goal and two assists. Northampton have an option to buy both players permanently at the end of the season.

"We have that option with Kyle,” said Calderwood. “We're playing him at the minute to see what attributes he really has when push comes to shove. At the back end of a season, and in this position we're in, he's got really good application and there's no fear about him. There's a nice development and he's doing himself absolutely no harm.

"We'll definitely give Ben Hammond a chance. He's done well in training but we have strong competition and other players have more experience and more game-time and they’re in more rhythm. If you throw him in, you're not exactly sure how the game will go for him. But we'll absolutely give him an opportunity between now and the end of the season.”

Leicester loanee Jake Evans, another January arrival, scored his first Cobblers goal during Easter Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Wigan at Sixfields.

Calderwood added: "Jake was a bit lost in the first half and he couldn't get in the game but it was a lovely moment when he scored his goal and you just wanted it to lead to something more exciting. As he grows into his game and his body, and gains maturity and experience, he's got an excellent chance of having a really nice career.”