Northampton v Bradford preview

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Chris Hackett and John Johnson are expected to return to the Northampton squad.

Midfielder Hackett has recovered from the groin strain that has seen him miss two games while full-back Johnson has been out for a month following keyhole surgery on a torn knee ligament.

Town boss Aidy Boothroyd said: “Chris and John are both back in training so providing they come through that OK, they will be available for Saturday.”

Striker Alex Nicholls will not play again this season after suffering a broken leg during the 2-0 league victory over Port Vale last weekend. He joins fellow long-term absentees David Artell (Achilles) and Luke Guttridge (broken metatarsal) on the sidelines.

However, fellow midfielder Ben Harding is making good progress in his recovery from an ankle injury and he should be back in first-team contention towards the end of the month.

Meanwhile, Boothroyd hopes to agree a deal to extend goalkeeper Lee Nicholls’ loan spell from Wigan in time for the 19-year-old to face the Bantams.

Bradford have been hit by a defensive injury crisis, with both regular centre-backs being ruled out.

Andrew Davies and Luke Oliver were forced off against Burton last weekend and missed the midweek Capital One Cup defeat of Wigan.

Oliver has since been ruled out for the season with an Achilles injury, while a twisted knee is expected to keep former Stoke defender Davies sidelined for up to four months.

Stephen Darby and Carl McHugh deputised in the shootout victory over the Latics on Tuesday, keeping a clean sheet in the process and the pair are expected to retain their places in the Bantams back-line at Sixfields.

These two sides met only a week ago in the league, with Bradford running out 1-0 winners.

Northampton v Bradford preview

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Chris Hackett is a major doubt for Northampton.

The versatile former Millwall man left the field early in the second half of Friday’s 4-0 defeat at Barnet with a groin injury and is unlikely to recover in time to face the Bantams.

The absence of Hackett, who has featured in every league game for the Cobblers this season, will be a major blow for manager Aidy Boothroyd, but the Northampton boss will be boosted by the returns of Danny East and John Johnson.

East has made a full recovery from a shoulder injury, while Johnson has shrugged off a knee problem, and both are in line for first-team comebacks.

Boothroyd made one change ahead of the Underhill defeat, with Kemar Roofe replacing Ishmel Demontagnac, but he could make further alterations following their under-par performance.

The clash with Phil Parkinson’s men marks the first of three successive games at Sixfields for Boothroyd’s side – a welcome tonic, with the Cobblers having won their last two home fixtures.

Bradford manager Phil Parkinson is not expected to make any changes.

Parkinson has no new injury or suspension worries but is still without skipper Gary Jones due to the back problem that has kept him out of the last five matches and winger Kyel Reid (groin), who is also a long-term absentee.

Midfielder Ritchie Jones has waited patiently for his first start of the season following hamstring and ankle injuries but may have to bide his time on the bench after the Bantams secured their first win in five league games against Cheltenham on Saturday.

Winger Craig Forsyth, signed last week on loan from Watford, made his debut at the weekend and is expected to retain his place, while Will Atkinson is pushing for a recall after being left out in favour of Garry Thompson, who he replaced for the last 28 minutes on Saturday.

Northampton v Bradford preview

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Northampton have no new problems for this fixture. Neal Kitson is set to continue in goal but changes could be in the offing elsewhere as the Cobblers look for the victory that would all but guarantee their Football League survival.

Defenders Byron Webster and Blair Adams, midfielder Toni Silva and attackers Lewis Young, Jake Robinson and Lewis Wilson will hope to come into manager Aidy Boothroyd’s thinking.

Despite survival being almost assured, Boothroyd does not want his side to take their foot off the gas in the remaining five matches.

“This is a big week for us and it’s important that we start it off with a good result at home against Bradford on Saturday. We want to finish strongly and I think that it’s important that we start thinking about next season already,” said Boothroyd.

“It is very easy to down tools psychologically once you have reached a certain target so it’s important we stay as competitive and as strong as we can. We’re not safe yet but we know we’re going to be. We want to put as many points on the board as possible. We want to give the supporters some optimism going into the summer, I think that is something that has been missing here for a while and it’s important we have that.”

Meanwhile, Bradford goalkeeper Jon McLaughlin and defender Luke Oliver will return to contention following suspensions.

Both players have completed their respective three-game bans for their part in the post-match brawl following the recent home defeat to Crawley.

McLaughlin played the full 90 minutes in the reserves’ midweek draw with Hull and manager Phil Parkinson must decide whether to recall him straight back into the starting line-up or keep faith with Matt Duke.

Chris Mitchell and Deane Smalley also featured in the reserves and could be included in Parkinson’s squad.

Guy Branston has stepped in at centre-half in Oliver’s absence and will be hoping to retain his place, while Marcel Seip has been ruled out for the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.

David Syers replaced midfielder Ritchie Jones in Monday’s defeat at Shrewsbury as the latter felt the effects of a knock sustained against Southend last Friday and winger Kyel Reid is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up.

Northampton v Bradford preview

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Northampton boss Ian Sampson will give John Johnson as much time as possible to prove his fitness for the visit of Bradford as his men return to league action after dumping Liverpool out of the Carling Cup.

The former Middlesbrough utility man took a knock in the final few minutes of the midweek shock at Anfield and had to be replaced.

Nathaniel Wedderburn is on standby after playing the final three minutes against Roy Hodgson’s men.

Sampson is unlikely to make too many changes to his team following the unexpected result and that means Ben Tozer will continue at centre-back and Ryan Gilligan will continue in midfield despite needing surgery on an ankle injury.

The Cobblers will continue to be without skipper Craig Hinton and Tadgh Purcell who both have knee injuries, while Dean Beckwith has a thigh strain and Marcus Hall is doubtful with a hamstring problem.

Bradford midfielder Lee Hendrie is hoping to make his first start for the club at Northampton.

The former England international signed a short-term contract with the Bantams last week in time to make his debut off the bench in the home win over Gillingham.

Midfielder Tom Adeyemi, on loan from Norwich, is expected back among the substitutes after missing the last two games with a bruised toe while fellow midfielder David Syers has shaken off a back problem and is also in contention.

Striker Jake Speight was replaced at half-time last week as he struggled with illness but is expected to be fit while manager Peter Taylor must decide whether to start with 6ft 7in defender Luke Oliver up front again in a three-pronged strikeforce alongside Speight and Gareth Evans or Louis Moult.

If Oliver is employed as a forward in the continued absence of James Hanson (hamstring), Steve Williams will partner Shane Duff in central defence.

Skipper Simon Ramsden (calf) has had a setback, but Michael Flynn (hernia) is hoping to return within the next fortnight.