Byrom: The fight for starting places is great news for Cobblers

Such is the squad strength at Sixfields at the moment, the competition for places is fierce with only Paul Corry out injured.

John-Joe O’Toole misses Saturday’s FA Cup second-round clash with Northwich Victoria due to suspension, and that will offer a chance for somebody else to impress.

That man is likely to be Jason Taylor, who himself has struggled to regain his place in the team after being sent-off twice earlier this season.

If Taylor is selected, he will be doing his best to ensure he keeps O’Toole out of the team for the following weekend’s trip to Luton Town, and Byrom believes the fight for places is something that can only be good for the team in the long run.

“You just have to look at the bench for last Saturday, and the players there to see the strength in depth,” said Byrom.

“Me and Jason had a really good partnership last season, and that won’t be forgotten easily.

“If he comes in on Saturday then it is his shirt to try and keep, and that is the thing with our squad.

“If you do miss a game through suspension or a little injury, it is not easy to get back in.

“The way the lads are playing at the minute, everybody wants one of those shirts.”

Byrom, a former Northwich player, is looking forward to coming up against his old club on Saturday.

The Town players are going into the game fresh from their 2-0 win over Yeovil Town last weekend - and a pre-Christmas squad get-together in Dublin.

The squad flew out straight after the game on Saturday, and Byrom said: “It was good to get away.

“On the back of a really good run, and before the FA Cup game, it was nice to just have a couple of days away together as a squad.

“We just really bonded again, as you would do.

“A few of the experienced boys chipped in and sorted everything out, and the lads really enjoyed themselves.

“But it’s back to work now, and we go again at the weekend.”