Northampton v Bury preview

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Evan Horwood is set to make his full debut for Northampton when they entertain Bury.

The on-loan Tranmere left-back came off the bench in Tuesday’s 2-2 draw with AFC Wimbledon and is likely to be promoted to a starting line-up which could feature striker John Marquis after he rejoined on loan from Millwall.

Former Real Madrid B forward Cristian Lopez is still waiting patiently for his first start having made three substitute appearances since his loan switch from Huddersfield.

The season-long strugglers are only two points from safety despite going four games without a win.

David Flitcroft could hand debuts to Bury’s two new arrivals against Northampton.

The Shakers boss has been on the lookout for attacking reinforcements ever since Anton Forrester’s season ended when he suffered cruciate ligament damage in his knee and, on Thursday, both Hallam Hope and Danny Rose arrived at the JD Stadium on loan.

Hope, a 20-year-old recruited from Everton, could face the club he spent time on loan with earlier in the campaign.

Tom Soares (hamstring) could also be in Flitcroft’s thinking with the midfielder set to make his comeback in either this fixture or Tuesday’s match against Bristol Rovers.

Northampton v Bury preview

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Northampton manager Gary Johnson is waiting on the fitness of Michael Jacobs and defender John Johnson.

Winger Jacobs missed the 1-1 draw at Burton in midweek through illness while Johnson missed out with a thigh strain.

Johnson said: “Michael and John should both be close for Saturday. No disrespect to the rest of the squad but at the moment they are probably our two most consistent performers and to have them back in the team would give us a massive lift for Saturday.”

Johnson’s absence led to a reshuffle in the back four at Burton, with Dean Beckwith filling in at right-back and Marcus Hall moving to centre-half.

Captain Andy Holt remains a doubt with his knee problem while midfielder Ryan Gilligan has had surgery on a long-standing ankle problem and is sidelined for the rest of the season.

Striker Billy McKay is out for another month after dislocating his elbow but Leon McKenzie is back in the squad after a knee injury.

Bury caretaker boss Richie Barker could be without a trio of players.

Midfielder Steven Schumacher serves the second game of two-match ban and will miss out again.

Striker Andy Bishop is on the treatment table after going through another knee operation and will remain sidelined.

Midfielder Peter Sweeney will also be assessed ahead of the Sixfields showdown as he bids to shake off a hamstring injury.

Meanwhile, Robbie Fowler is to spend a week coaching at Gigg Lane assisting Barker.

The former Liverpool, Leeds and Manchester City striker, who enjoyed a similar short spell coaching MK Dons earlier in the campaign, is set to join Barker in the dugout for Tuesday’s home game with Burton.