Mills 'loves' captaining the Cobblers after being handed the armband by Brady

Left-back Joseph Mills says he 'loves' the responsibility of leading the Cobblers after being made captain by interim manager Jon Brady.

Nicky Adams had been club captain under previous boss Keith Curle while centre-back Cian Bolger often led the team on the pitch.

But Adams left Northampton for Oldham Athletic in January and with Brady dropping Bolger to the bench shortly after his appointment, Mills was handed the armband.

The 31-year-old has skippered Town in seven of the last eight games, only missing out against Charlton Athletic in midweek due to injury.

"It has been a bit of an up and down season for many reasons, especially with everything that's gone on," admitted Mills. "I felt I was just working my way into form when I picked up the injury in the autumn.

"It was a bit innocuous at the time but it turned out to be a bad one, but I've worked really hard to come back and with the change in management, I've obviously been given the armband.

"To be honest, I love it. I love the responsibility of leading this good bunch of players and good bunch of people. It's nothing new for me because I've done it previously and I'm relishing it."

Mills admitted he was still 'feeling' the injury that ruled him out of last week's game at Charlton against Doncaster on Saturday, but he hopes a week off will allow him to get back to 100 per cent fitness.

In his absence at The Valley, central defender Lloyd Jones, who only joined the club at the end of December, was given the armband.

The former Liverpool youngster was integral to another clean sheet at Doncaster, Town's seventh in 15 games since he joined the club. They only managed two in the previous 19.

"I'm really happy with how it's going," said Jones. "We've worked on the shape a lot in training and we've played quite a few games together now and I think those connections and partnerships are improving all the time.

"Communication has been key and it's good to get another clean sheet and I think I've found my feet now. I didn't show my best stuff for the short period I was here last season but I had some time out of football and that made me realise how much I miss it.

"I'm hungry and I want to do well with this team and now it's about keeping it going and focusing on the next game on Saturday."