Already without eight first-team players for the visit of Luton, Nolan then lost midfielder Dean Campbell to an injury in the warm up before defende Joe Wormleighton went down after just 26 minutes. That meant both Cameron McGeehan and Kyle Edwards had to play far longer than originally planned.
"It's not ideal because we had planned and we had done all the work,” said Nolan. “Ethan (Wheatley) was struggling so we didn't want to take any unnecessary risks with him and that's why he started on the bench. Cam McGeehan did fantastic and that's what I have here – a good squad who are honest and hard working. Unfortunately they weren't quite themselves too many times and too often today so what we need to do is build up that confidence again and look forward to the next game and get back to winning ways.”
Here’s the state of every injured player currently in the treatment room at Sixfields…
5. Liam Shaw (ACL)
A week or two behind Guthrie having not played since February. In light training and will be back in action in the next month. Photo: NTFC
6. Tom Eaves (groin)
Been missing since mid-September. Another one described as 'not far off' by Nolan last week. Photo: Pete Norton
7. Jack Vale (hamstring)
Does not seem particularly close after injuring his hamstring against Rotherham earlier this month. On October 14th, Nolan said: "Unfortunately Jack has done his hamstring so it’ll be a while. We’re waiting on the results for him. I won’t put a timeline on it but he won’t be back for a good few weeks." Photo: Pete Norton
8. Max Dyche (unknown)
The nature of the injury hasn't been disclosed but Nolan said last week he is 'back on the grass' Photo: Pete Norton