Nolan explains Moore and Evans absences and provides Guthrie update
Kevin Nolan has explained why January signings Jake Evans and Elliott Moore did not feature in his squad for Tuesday’s 2-2 draw against Barnsley.
Evans has made two cameo appearances since his arrival on loan from Leicester last month, and the 17-year-old did travel with his team-mates to South Yorkshire, spotted doing sprints on the Oakwell pitch before kick-off, but he was not in the squad. Neither was central defender Moore, who had made his Cobblers debut at the weekend.
Instead, Tyrese Fornah made the bench and subsequently returned to action for the first time in six weeks as a second half sub, and with Cameron McGeehan and Michael Forbes also back available after injury, Nolan was not short on options when selecting his matchday 18.
"Elliott was missing for happy reasons because he welcomed a little boy in the early hours of the morning,” confirmed Nolan. “He was wanting to be by his wife's side and we fully support that. It's important to make sure everyone's healthy and thankfully they are. Hopefully he can settle back into home life in the next couple of days and then we look forward to hopefully having him back available on Saturday.”
On Evans, Nolan explained: "It was just for personnel reasons and what we felt we needed for tonight. Jake will get his opportunities and that's what he's here for. He's here to train and work hard. He's had two opportunities and he's done OK but he's been thrown into difficult situations.
"Ideally, what you want to do with young boys is put them in at good moments when everyone's feeling confident. But Jake's a tough boy and I'm looking forward to working with him and the two new boys for the rest of the season. I truly believe he will make his mark.”
Captain Jon Guthrie was a doubt before the game after picking up a hamstring injury in the 2-0 defeat to Reading at the weekend, but Nolan is hopeful he will be available when Stevenage visit on Saturday.
He added: "Jon's just tight in his hamstring and we're taking it day by day. He was obviously out for a year and I'm certainly hoping he won't be out for too long. He could be back on Saturday, along with Elliott Moore, but we’ll see.”