D'Ath ruled out and Potter '˜touch and go' for Milton Keynes trip

Lawson D’Ath has been ruled out with the groin injury he picked up in last week’s win at Plymouth Argyle, while Alfie Potter is 50/50 as he struggles to recover from a rib injury picked up in the 1-0 win over Accrington Stanley on December 28.

With new signings James Collins and Lee Martin both unavailable for the trip to stadiummk as they are cup-tied, it does mean the Cobblers’ squad will be stretched to its limits for the short trip across the county border to Buckinghamshire.

It’s not an ideal situation, but Wilder is happy with what he has available to him, insisting it’s his policy to run with a smaller squad and that he accepts a couple of injuries are always going to have an affect.

“Lawson won’t be available, and Alfie is touch and go,” said Wilder.

“Alfie had a bit of a reaction on Friday, which is why he wasn’t involved on Saturday (at Dagenham), so we will try again with him this week.

“But it is what it is, we can’t play James Collins, Lee Martin can’t play as bith them are cup-tied, and we run with tight numbers.

“We are happy with the way we are running, and obviously we are little bit light on the bench with Lawson not making it, and the fact that Alfie might not make it.

“That keeps our numbers down, but we have quality rather than quantity and I am happy with that.”

The winner of Tuesday night’s clash at stadiummk will host Barclays Premier League champions Chelsea at home in round four, with the game to be shown live on BBC1 on Sunday, January 31.

An army of 7,000 Cobblers fans will be at the game to cheer on their team.