Players could leave Cobblers on deadline day - but only if Curle makes additions

Cobblers boss Keith Curle will only allow players to leave the club if he's able to land his desired targets on the final day of the January transfer window.

Billy Waters is the only man to depart Town this month while three have come in - Mark Marshall, Callum Morton and James Olayinka.

Curle is open to strengthening his squad further on deadline day but he's also satisfied with the options currently at his disposal, which means there are unlikely to be many, if any, outgoings.

"It will depend on whether or not we're able to bring players in," said Curle.

"But I'm happy with the squad I've got and I'm happy with the quality that's within the squad.

"First and foremost, all of the players in the changing room are on the same page and that's vitally important because, for various reasons, I think it's been a while since the changing room has been on the same page."

Reece Hall-Johnson is one player that has had precious little game-time of late having not started a league match since October 12.

But despite Michael Harriman and Joe Martin being chosen ahead of him in recent games, Curle says there's no plan to let the 24-year-old leave on Friday.

"It's a case of being patient," he added. "Reece was brought with the mindset of, when you get an opportunity, take it.

"He started the season in the team and he's one of the players who has been unlucky. Him, Joe Martin and Michael Harriman haven't had as much game-time because of the switch of formation.

"But within that, he can still play right-sided centre-back, he can play centre-back in a two, he can play right-back and he can also play as a wing-back.

"He can also play on the left and that's where we're a team and we're a squad and Reece still has a massive part to play.

"He's conducted himself excellently. Reece knows all our attacking and defending set-piece routines and he has the basics of what his requirements would be in any position.

"The lad's switched on and that's the important part because it's not always about the 11 people that start the game. Even the players who are sat in the stands are still a part because next week they could be playing."