Northampton Town’s injury struggles have mounted as they head into a crucial stretch of their season.
The Cobblers, already dealing with several key players sidelined, were hit with more bad news after their recent match against Huddersfield Town, where defender Patrick Brough suffered a serious injury. Brough, aged 28, broke his leg in the final minutes of Northampton’s win over Huddersfield.
Despite the severity of the injury, he played through the remainder of the match, as manager Jon Brady had already used all three substitution windows. Brady explained the situation to the Northampton Chronicle, stating, “Patrick broke his leg at the weekend. He carried on and he stayed out there but he will now be checked by the specialist and he’ll be out for the long-term.”
Brady expressed his admiration for Brough’s commitment, calling it “the mark of the man,” and adding, “He’s all in for the team and he’s an incredible character, but it puts a dampener on the result when something like that happens because he’s a player who is so committed to the group.”
The team’s medical staff will now focus on Brough’s recovery, with Brady noting that Brough’s dedication and effort were inspiring. However, the manager lamented the toll it will take on the team, especially given the mounting number of injuries. Brough’s absence means Northampton will have to reshuffle their defence as they approach a busy period in the season.
Adding to Northampton’s injury woes, Ali Koiki is also set for an extended spell on the sidelines due to a muscle injury. Brady confirmed the severity of Koiki’s condition, saying, “Ali will be out for several months. He’s struggling with a muscle injury so he’ll be missing for a while unfortunately.” The loss of both Brough and Koiki, two key left-backs, leaves Northampton’s defensive options limited.
Despite these setbacks, there is some positive news on the injury front. Brady hopes to have Tom Eaves, Aaron McGowan, and Jordan Willis back soon, with all three potentially available for the upcoming match against Mansfield Town. McGowan, who had started every game before being sidelined, could be in line to return, while Eaves and Willis are working their way back to full fitness after returning to training.
Brady indicated that the team will decide whether to integrate them this weekend or in the following matches, stating, “It’s about whether we bleed them in this weekend or wait until next week because we have a lot of Tuesday games coming up.”
The return of these players is crucial as Northampton prepares for a congested fixture list, but the loss of Brough and Koiki will undoubtedly be felt. With McGowan likely to step in on the right and Willis and Eaves pushing for involvement, Brady will hope his defence can hold up despite the challenges.
Meanwhile, even former Cobblers are falling foul of injuries. Charlie Goode who signed for Stevenage in August, fractured his fibula during Stevenage’s defeat to Exeter City. The injury is expected to keep him out for the rest of 2023. Goode, who captained Northampton to promotion at Wembley in 2020, had become an integral part of Stevenage’s backline before the injury. He joins other long-term injury casualties at Stevenage, including Dan Sweeney and Jake Forster-Caskey.
Brady, reflecting on the Cobblers’ injury situation, remains hopeful that his team can cope with the challenges ahead, though the loss of players like Brough and Koiki adds to the strain. “Everyone else came through unscathed on Saturday and that’s positive for us, especially now we’re going into a very busy period,” said Brady, emphasizing the importance of squad rotation in the coming weeks.
Writer’s View
Northampton Town’s current injury situation presents a significant test for Jon Brady and his squad. The loss of Patrick Brough to a broken leg, combined with the absence of Ali Koiki, leaves the team vulnerable at left-back. While the return of players like Aaron McGowan and Jordan Willis offers some relief, the defensive reshuffle will require careful management, particularly as the Cobblers enter a demanding period of fixtures.
For Northampton to navigate this period successfully, it will be essential for the remaining squad members to step up. Brady’s tactical adjustments and ability to rotate his players effectively could determine whether the team can maintain their form in the league despite these setbacks.