Sheehan and Bolger face spell on the sidelines

Cobblers central defenders Alan Sheehan and Cian Bolger are both set for a period of time on the sidelines.

Sheehan returned from two months out against Rochdale last week but limped off with a calf problem just 25 minutes into Saturday's game at Swindon Town.

Captain Cian Bolger dropped to the bench for Jon Brady's second game in charge at Ipswich and remained there until Tuesday night when he was absent from the squad altogether.

"I think Alan will be three to four weeks," revealed Brady. "He's had a scan on his calf muscle so he'll be out for a while.

"Cian Bolger also had a scan on a hip problem and we're monitoring that but it could be a little bit of time as well."

Brady is also keeping one eye on the fitness levels of his players during this busy and hectic time of the season.

Mark Marshall and Bryn Morris were both unused substitutes against Plymouth on Tuesday having started every other game under Brady.

"Marshy's come in and he's been superb for us but at 33, we need to make sure we look after him because he's come in and played a lot of games in a short period of time," Brady added.

"He's been out of the picture so we've got to really look after him. I just felt he looked a little bit jaded in his last appearance and it's important we get the balance right.

"Now we've been in the building a few weeks, we're starting to get that gut instinct and that feel for the players and it's down to us to get that balance right."