In-form McWilliams wants to 'kick-on' after leaping up Town's midfield pecking order

The 22-year-old was one of the first names on the team sheet during the early months of last season but two enforced lay-offs, initially due to an appendix operation and then a serious knee injury, bumped him out of the first-team picture.

But McWilliams’ talent has been clear ever since he made his debut as an 18-year-old at Rochdale in 2017, and it was only a matter of time, fitness permitting, that he would force his way back into Curle’s thinking.

Whilst Curle was understandably cautious following his long absence, an impressive cameo against Stevenage in the EFL Trophy last week made up his mind that McWilliams was finally ready to be a starter in Town’s midfield again.

And the academy graduate hasn’t let his manager down. He was terrific in the win over Burton and then again on Tuesday when he went back to where it all started as the Cobblers drew 1-1 at Spotland.

“My debut at Rochdale feels a long time ago now! I don’t think I’ve been to the ground since but I’ve got good memories and I’ll always remember coming on in that game,” said McWilliams. “I loved it and I enjoyed being back and now, touch wood, I can stay injury-free.

“I think I’ve been a bit unlucky with some of the injuries I’ve had but I need to kick-on now. I had 86 minutes the other day and another 70 against Rochdale and that’s always nice to get in the back pocket.

“Obviously coming back from the injury that I had, I will be a bit rusty here and there but my fitness is coming back slowly. I still felt a bit leggy on Tuesday and I feel normally I should be able to play Saturday-Tuesday, but to be honest I’m not as rusty as I thought I’d be after being out for so long and I’m picking up the pace.

“I’ve always been quite naturally fit so thankfully it’s not taking me too long to get up to speed and I feel like I’m fitting in quite well at the minute – I’ll be ready when next called upon.”

The pattern of Tuesday’s game suited McWilliams’ tenacious style down to the ground. Dale may have dominated the ball but with Town working so hard out of possession, goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell had little to do.

“Before the game I felt raring to go but it was a hard game and I was a bit leggy in the second-half,” McWilliams admitted. “They were good at moving the ball so I was constantly shuffling side-to-side and that takes it out of your legs.

“They had a lot of the ball and moved it well but did they hurt us? I wouldn’t say they got into our box too many times. There were a few crosses here and there but they didn’t really threaten Mitch. It’s probably a point both teams will take, it’s just frustrating to concede so late.”

Harry Smith’s third goal in two games was so nearly enough for a third straight away win for the Cobblers, but Stephen Humphrys’ late free-kick saw to that. It leaves Curle’s side 16th ahead of a rare weekend off.

“I think if you offered us four points before the two games, we would have taken it,” said McWilliams. “But I’d say it was probably two points lost given the way it went.

“We were leading for a long time and it was annoying to concede so late, but I think you’d take four points from the past two games.

“There’s no game on Saturday but we have to keep ticking over. We’ll work on our shape, phases of play and hopefully we can carry on our form next week.”