Sam Hoskins, Cameron McGeehan, Joe Wormleighton and Jack Vale latest
Sam Hoskins and Cameron McGeehan are on the ‘brink’ of returning for Cobblers and could be involved for next week’s visit of Huddersfield.
The pair were close to making the matchday squad for Tuesday’s EFL Trophy tie against Wycombe but Kevin Nolan erred on the side of caution and will reassess their fitness over the next few days.
Hoskins remains Northampton’s top goalscorer this season despite not playing since injuring his hamstring in the defeat to Luton at the end of October. McGeehan has missed the last three games in all competitions after sustaining a calf problem in training. Joe Wormleighton and Jack Vale are also on the way back.
"There’s a couple of lads who are just on the brink of coming back,” confirmed Nolan. “We had three or four in the building on Tuesday who were sitting in the changing room at the end of the game and they were close to playing and that would have allowed us to rest one or two more.
"McGeehan and Hoskins are close. Wormleighton's getting there as well and Valey's not far behind so we're in a good place with the squad."
Nolan made seven alterations for Tuesday’s last-32 tie at Sixfields, adding: "We're in a position to be able to make changes and give opportunities. We can also take players out and use the whole of the squad and we need that because there’s a lot coming up in the next month and we have a lot of games.
"That’s something we spoke to the lads about before Tuesday night. It was a positive start to the month against Wycombe but it’s another tough one coming up in Huddersfield next week and then it’s the derby after that.
"We just keep ticking them off and the next one is always the most important one. The lads will have a nice couple of days now to rest up and to get themselves ready.”