Northampton Town plan to tackle their persistent injury woes head-on this summer, with senior figures at the club committing to change after yet another season blighted by fitness setbacks.
For the third consecutive campaign, the Cobblers’ ambitions have been hampered by a string of injuries, including multiple long-term absences. By November, numerous players had already undergone surgeries, and by season’s end, Jon Guthrie, Liam Shaw and Callum Morton had all suffered season-ending ACL injuries.
Pre-season overhaul and ‘robust’ recruitment planned
Speaking at a Fans’ Forum, assistant manager Colin Calderwood and manager Kevin Nolan both acknowledged the need for a shift in how the club prepares its squad physically.
“There is something we can address,” said Calderwood. “Pre-season can take care of some of it. This pre-season the players will be pushed to the edge to build robustness. We need a tough foundation for next season… Pre-season will be long and arduous but there will be science and a plan behind it.”
Calderwood noted that many injuries this year have been of the “unlucky” variety, including non-contact ligament damage. However, internal evaluations are being carried out to assess what can be done better moving forward.
Nolan, meanwhile, made clear that the summer recruitment drive will prioritise players with a proven record of resilience, both physically and mentally.
“It’s my job to make sure we get better,” Nolan said. “From what I have seen I have to get players who can kick the club on again… We are looking for robustness.
“What is a player’s history? Do they get a lot of injuries? That forms part of our decision making process.”
The manager admitted he is concerned about the current squad’s ability to cope with the physical demands of Saturday-Tuesday-Saturday football and wants to ensure that next season’s group can deliver consistently without the frequent setbacks that have dogged recent campaigns.
Writer’s View
The Cobblers’ commitment to addressing their injury issues is both overdue and essential. Too often in recent years, seasons have derailed before Christmas due to absences in key positions. By targeting robust players in the transfer market and planning a science-led pre-season, Nolan and Calderwood are right to set new standards.
If the club can match their cultural values with physical resilience, they could finally mount a consistent push toward the top end of the table in 2025/26.
