Northampton midfielder Michael Jacobs will start the Carling Cup tie against Brighton. The 18-year-old came off the bench to shine in the dismal 3-0 defeat at Torquay on Saturday and manager Ian Sampson has confirmed that the teenager will begin at Sixfields.
Sampson was furious with the manner in which his side conceded three goals in six minutes at Plainmoor and has promised changes to his starting XI. Summer signings Nathaniel Wedderburn and Tadhg Purcell should be given their first starts, while Courtney Herbert could also come into the side.
Midfielder Kevin Thornton travelled to Devon with the squad on Friday but contracted a virus overnight which should keep him out again, while defender Craig Hinton is back in light training after his thigh injury but remains out. Goalkeeper Chris Dunn is a few weeks away from a return from his ankle injury so on-loan Oscar Jansson will continue.
Source: PA
Source: PA