Liam Shaw reveals return date aim after giving update on recovery from ACL injury

The 24-year-old midfielder was Kevin Nolan’s first signing when he joined Cobblers from Fleetwood in early January, and straightaway he impressed with a series of dominant performances in the middle of the park, scoring two goals in eight appearances.

But Shaw's Northampton career was not even two months old when he suffered a serious knee injury during Town’s home defeat to Barnsley at the end of February. He was immediately ruled out for the rest of the season and faced a long recovery process, but he’s now two third of the way through his rehab.

"I am five and a half months post operation and things are going really well,” said Shaw. “I have been smashing the gym and I got my first treadmill session in on Monday which was great and a real big milestone for me. Before that I was using the anti-gravity machine and I’m hoping to be back out on the grass again soon.

"There is never a good time to get injured but it came at a time when I felt I was really starting to kick on. I was really enjoying my football and it has been very frustrating for me personally not being able to play.

"Mentally, I have been OK, probably better than I thought I would be at the time, but the first couple of months were definitely the hardest part. I just set myself targets and that gave me something to work towards. I’m taking it day by day and I feel I have done the had part now. I’m six months through it with hopefully only another three to go.

“I was told it would be nine months from my operation so I’m hoping to be back sometime in November, all being well, but I also know if we have to take a little longer, then we will.

“The gaffer and the lads have all been very supportive, they’ve been checking in on me to see how I'm doing, and I just can’t wait to be back involved. I texted Terry (Taylor) when he came back because I felt we had a good connection when we played together last season and I'm hoping we can build on that when I’m fit again.”