Holmes 'fuming to come off' but Curle was saving him for Rochdale clash

Keith Curle had the bigger picture in mind when he took off Ricky Holmes 65 minutes into Saturday's victory at Burton Albion.

The 33-year-old, signed by the Cobblers on an appearance-based deal earlier this month, completed his comeback from two back operations with a first league start in 23 months against the Brewers.

Holmes produced one of many good performances from the men in claret before he was replaced by Chris Lines shortly after going down with a lower leg problem around the hour-mark.

That was only a precaution though as Curle turned one eye to Tuesday's game at Rochdale.

"Ricky was fuming I brought him off but that's typical of him," said Curle. "It was about looking ahead and looking at the next game.

"I said to him 'Ricky, there's a game on Tuesday' and he replied 'but I had another 20 minutes in me!'. I knew that but I wanted him to save that for Tuesday - if I need it."

Shaun McWilliams is in a similar boat to Holmes having recently recovered from a long-term knee injury. He also impressed on Saturday but, after lasting 88 minutes at the Pirelli, Curle hinted it could be too soon for him to start twice in four days.

Meanwhile, Curle gave an update on Town's three long-term injuries. Scott Pollock (groin), Joseph Mills (ankle) and Blackpool loanee Joe Nuttall (knee) are all working their way back to fitness.

"Scotty Pollock isn't back in field-based training yet but he's able to get his boots on and do work on the grass," Curle revealed.

"I spoke to Joseph Mills on Sunday and he's on daddy day care duty at the moment. He's absolutely pulling his hair out - he said it would be easier to play against a flying winger than it is to manage two kids!

"I also had a conversation with Joe Nuttall and he's on his recovery path now. He's still under the guidance of the Blackpool physio and also the specialist who he's been to, but he's in a good place mentally and he's just focusing on his physical work."