Cobblers defender Nana closing in on full fitness after 17 months out

The right-back, who started his career at Chelsea but came to Sixfields from Peterborough United as one of Gary Johnson’s first signings as manager, has been out since September 2011 with a knee injury that has required several operations.

Nana trained with the youth team for the first two days of this week and is due to rejoin the first-team squad for their build-up to Saturday’s visit of Plymouth Argyle to Sixfields.

But he will not be considered for that game or any others in the forseeable future.

“The main priority for Nana is just to make sure he can play football again,” said manager Aidy Boothroyd. “He’s been out for a long time and we will take it very slowly with him.”

Boothroyd will however have defender David Artell back in the selection frame for the visit of Plymouth as the central defender has shaken off a recent setback to the Achilles injury he suffered in October.

Joe Widdowson sits out the Plymouth game as the first half of a two-game suspension, while Alex Nicholls remains on the sidelines with a broken leg.