Cobblers midfielder Byrom fit for Wycombe clash, but Rose will keep his place

That’s because Byrom is now going to have to wait his turn to try and dislodge Danny Rose from the Northampton engine room.

Rose was only signed by the Cobblers on transfer deadline day, but he has taken his unexpected chance with both hands after Byrom suffered a neck strain in the warm-up ahead of last Saturday’s 4-0 win at Leyton Orient.

The 27-year-old stepped in when Byrom was forced out and played a major role in that victory and then also in Tuesday’s 1-0 win at his former club, Oxford United.

Byrom man has been one of the Cobblers’ stand-out performers this season, and has formed a brilliant understanding with John-Joe O’Toole at the heart of the team.

But manager Chris Wilder confirmed on Thursday that it will be Rose who starts against the Chairboys on Saturday, and that Byrom is now going to have to wait for his chance to get back in.

Asked if Byrom will be fit for the weekend, Wilder said: “Hopefully Joel will be okay. We will have a look at him today, and hopefully he will train on Friday, as his injury has eased up.

“He has been an important player for us, but we have talked about the business we did in the window in bringing Danny Rose into the club, and he has done really well.

“I didn’t see any lift in Danny’s performance on Tuesday just because it was him against a former club, that was a normal Danny Rose performance, as it was at Orient on Saturday when he was asked to play at the last minute.

“Danny’s performances last Saturday and on Tuesday were different class, and this is the reason, whether it’s injuries or suspensions, that we have players to step in.

“Danny is in on merit, and he will play on Saturday, but it is always good to have Joel back because he has had an outstanding season.”

Other injury news from Sixfields is that Alfie Potter is still not 100 per cent, but everybody else - long-term absentee Paul Corry aside - is available for selection.