Defender Moloney delighted to be back in action for the Cobblers

After a injury-plagued start to the season, Brendan Moloney is delighted to be back in a Cobblers shirt as he looks to win a regular place in Rob Page's starting line-up.
BACK IN ACTION - Brendan Moloney made his first league start of the season at Coventry City on Saturday (Picture: Sharon Lucey)BACK IN ACTION - Brendan Moloney made his first league start of the season at Coventry City on Saturday (Picture: Sharon Lucey)
BACK IN ACTION - Brendan Moloney made his first league start of the season at Coventry City on Saturday (Picture: Sharon Lucey)

Summer signing Aaron Phillips has deputised in the place of Moloney, who picked up an injury in pre-season, but the 27-year-old returned for last week’s shock win over West Brom in the EFL Cup.

He slotted straight back in too, producing an excellent performance at right-back and he backed it up in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Coventry City at the Ricoh Arena, which was also the scene of his comeback from injury last season.

“It’s brilliant to be back,” he said after Northampton were denied a first league win of the season by Coventry.

“Two weeks into pre-season I picked up an injury which was disappointing but I knew it wasn’t going to be too long like last year.

“I’ve just put my head down, worked hard and have done a lot of work with everyone at the club to make sure when I come back in I’ll be ready and as sharp as I can, so now I just want to get my match fitness up to scratch and kick-on.”

Phillips, who did little wrong in the absence of Northampton’s regular right-back from last season, has proven he’s more than capable of providing good competition at full-back, something which Moloney welcomes.

He added: “You need competition for places in every position.

“The gaffer has brought in some quality players and you need that all over the pitch because it keeps everyone on their toes.

“You know if you don’t perform and you take your foot off the gas, there’s someone waiting to come in and take your position.”

Harry Beautyman’s first Northampton goal put the Cobblers ahead against Coventry on Saturday but again they were unable to see out victory as Marcus Tudgay’s second-half header ensured the spoils were shared.

Moloney added: “We went ahead and we had some chances but we conceded and even though we got a point, we are disappointed we haven’t won the game.

“But I guess that’s a good sign when you come to places like Coventry and you’re disappointed not to have won.

“We feel unlucky not to have won yet because we’ve played well but not picked up the three points.

“On the positive side, we haven’t lost games and that’s a massive thing in football - if you know how to dig in and not lose, it shows the commitment from everyone, shows what we’re doing is working and shows the attitude of every single player.

“You can see we’re so close with the way we’re playing, the chances we’re creating and the way we’re defending.

“If we keep doing that every week it’s only a matter of time before we start winning games instead of drawing.”

The Cobblers are back in action on Tuesday night when they entertain Wycombe Wanderers in first group game of the Checkatrade EFL Trophy (ko 7.45pm).