Northampton Town midfielder Hornby to have injection

Hornby has been forced to miss Northampton’s first four games with an issue with a disc that is related to a growth spurt the 18-year-old had during the close season.

It is hoped the injection - after which Hornby will have 48 hours of total rest - will solve the problem and that he will be restored to the first-team squad in due course.

“We will find out how the injection goes and take it from there,” said manager Aidy Boothroyd. “It’s one of those things we can’t really do anything about because it’s growth.

“If he does need to rest then he’s going to have to rest and there’s nothing we can do about that but we’re hopeful that this will be a solution.”

Meanwhile, the club will send a team to Watford on Tuesday afternoon for a friendly match, with Clive Platt and Chris Hackett - who can feature despite being suspended from first-team football - due to play.

There will also be match action for the squad members who are currently not involved in starting games, to enhance their sharpness.

Neither Ian Morris, who was an unused substitute at Southend United as he currently has a groin strain, or Matt Heath, whose calf injury prevented him from travelling to Roots Hall, will play.

Both are due back in training on Thursday although Boothroyd will tread carefully with Heath, whose pre-season was undertaken with Oxford United, and who failed a fitness test on the Friday before the Southend trip.