Holt has missed the last three games with a knee injury and will not travel as the Cobblers look for a first win in 13 games to ease their growing relegation fears.
Manager Gary Johnson has yet to win since taking charge, and defeat at the Pirelli Stadium would see the Brewers leapfrog them into 21st in the table.
Striker Leon McKenzie was back on the bench at Accrington on Saturday after a knee problem of his own but has hardly trained and will not start.
Midfielder Ryan Gilligan has had surgery on a long-standing ankle problem and is sidelined for the rest of the season and striker Billy McKay is out for another month after dislocating his elbow.
Shaun Harrad will start in attack against his former club for the first time after he was suspended for Burton`s 3-2 win at Sixfields last month - a defeat which cost Ian Sampson his job.
Source: PA
Source: PA