Cobblers’ injury problems refuse to relent for Oxford clash

Chris Wilder has confirmed Cobblers’ injury woes will not ease in time for Saturday’s clash with Oxford United at Sixfields.
Adam Yates has returned to parent club Port Vale (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)Adam Yates has returned to parent club Port Vale (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)
Adam Yates has returned to parent club Port Vale (picture: Kirsty Edmonds)

Zander Diamond, Brendan Moloney, Ricky Holmes and Evan Horwood remain sidelined for the Sky Bet League Two encounter.

And there is also bad news on Adam Yates, who has gone back to parent club Port Vale after sustaining a thigh injury in last week’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy win against Colchester.

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It means Wilder’s team will be far from full strength for the game against in-form Oxford.

But the manager insists he still expects Town to be competitive this weekend.

“It’s not excuses but we’ve got some big players out at the moment,” Wilder said.

“Zander Diamond is a big player for us and he won’t be available for Saturday, neither will Brendan (Moloney), neither will Ricky (Holmes).

“We’re quite unfortunate with all of those injuries.

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“We’ve lost Adam Yates, he’s gone back to Port Vale so he’s missing, and Evan Horwood is still out as well.

“We’ve got a couple of bumps and bruises from Saturday as well and it’s not going to be our strongest side, but whatever team I put out, we want to make sure we’re positive.

“We want to get after the opposition, compete all over the pitch and give a good account of ourselves - and I’m sure we will do that.”