Boss Wilder expects more speculation about Cobblers players

Striker Ivan Toney has been the player grabbing the attention in the past fortnight, with Premier League side Newcastle United showing interest in signing the teenager, and Wilder is okay with that.

He knows it is part of the game, and admits he expects other members of his squad to also attract attention from other clubs.

“This is football, I have been involved in clubs all my career where, for one reason or another, there has been speculation regarding players,” said Wilder.

“That happens if they are doing well, and that is what’s happening with Ivan.

“If I am honest, I want that to happen to a few more of our players, and I expect that to happen with the players we have recruited in the summer, and the players we have at the football club. That shows they are doing well.

“I have always had to put up with speculation, whether it’s about me, or players, and that’s alright.

“These things happen at clubs and I can’t affect that.”

Wilder also shrugged off the ongoing mystery surrounding the proposed takeover of the club from an as yet unnamed Indian consortium.

“It’s the chairman’s football club, and it is his decision and his right to take it in the direction he wants to,” said the Town boss.

“As far as I am concerned it is head down and get on with it, and that’s the same at every football club up and down the country.”

The Cobblers play their fourth pre-season friendly of the summer on Saturday, and their first at Sixfields, when Sky Bet Championship side Derby County come to town.

Kick-off at Sixfields is at 2pm.