Sheehan closing in on return but Cobblers hit by Arnold setback

Jon Brady will have close to a fully-fit squad to pick from when Cobblers host Crewe Alexandra on Saturday.

Benny Ashley-Seal, Cian Bolger and Joseph Mills are all in training after recent injuries while veteran defender Alan Sheehan should join his team-mates later this week, although he's unlikely to be fit enough to face Crewe.

In less good news, however, goalkeeper Steve Arnold is set for a spell on the sidelines. The 31-year-old, who last played on December 19, has been in and out of the squad in recent weeks due to a back injury.

He did not feature on the bench at Doncaster Rovers on Saturday with academy goalkeeper Dylan Berry stepping up to the first-team.

"We're getting there with everyone," said Brady. "I think there's only a couple who are just off the squad.

"Alan Sheehan will be training fully on Friday but he probably won't make Saturday. It might be a little too soon and that's a lesson we've learned before.

"The other one at the moment is Arnie. He's got a medial ligament problem and he'll be out for a little while so that's where we're at, but we're looking forward to having everyone else fit and back and well."