Jones may make changes for Northampton trip

Hatters boss Nathan Jones is considering making changes to his side for tomorrow's trip to League Two champions Northampton Town.
Nathan Jones puts his point across against NewportNathan Jones puts his point across against Newport
Nathan Jones puts his point across against Newport

The Town chief has kept faith with the same 11 for the past three games, but admitted after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Newport County, he might have freshened his side up.

When asked if that was the same this weekend, he said: “Ironically, we probably don’t need to do it as much now, in terms of freshness, but we’ll pick the side in terms of what we think can win us the game.

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“There maybe changes, but it won’t be anything I do because one’s jaded or one’s this, or one’s that, because we’ve rested them up this week.

“It was only because the four games in quick succession that they were a little bit jaded and lacklustre, but they’ve had two good days training so far and with another day, they should be fresh, should be ready and have a little bit more spark about our play.”

Skipper Scott Cuthbert is back in training after a leg injury, but with just two games to go this term, coupled with the form of Alan Sheehan and Glen Rea, it’s unlikely he’ll be risked.

Jones continued: “We could push him if we want to, but it’s late and the pairing we have now are doing well, we’re pleased with them.

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“It might not be the necessity to risk it, we’ll gauge it as he’s back with us now, plus we have young Frankie Musonda as well who’s training really well.

“We’ve got a few young ones in our group who are training well and pushing for places so we’ll see where we are.”

The game will also come too early for winger Paddy McCourt, as Jones continued: “Paddy’s now starting to get back training a little bit. He had a certain personal issue that was far more important than our plight if you like and I’m not belittling our plight in any kind of way but some things are more important, so we gave him some compassionate leave.

“We haven’t rushed him back so he’s probably not in contention although he is back with the squad.”

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Fellow wideman Ryan Hall’s campaign is over though due to a foot injury, with the 28-year-old having made just two appearances for Jones, and only 13 all season, as the boss said: “Ryan won’t play again this season. I’ve not had Ryan since I’ve came here, I played him in the first game, then he got injured and literally he was getting back and I would have started him in his first game back, because of how I wanted to play, but he got injured.

“I literally haven’t see Ryan Hall in my time here, it’s been very unfortunate for the lad.”

Both Nathan Doyle and Scott Griffiths returned from injury in the development side’s 1-0 win over Cambridge United on Tuesday, but on their chances of featuring again, Jones added: “Whether they’ll impact for us this season is another thing.

“Some players I’ve not had an opportunity to look at because of their injury and fitness concerns, so it’s been a frustration, but don’t take anything away from the group I’ve had.

“The ones who’ve really wanted to work hard have done well and those are the ones we’ll go forward with.”