Chris Wilder’s side went to the top of the League Two table after Saturday’s professional display against Morecambe although they may lose their position this coming weekend if Plymouth Argyle take three points from their home clash with Wycombe Wanderers.
That is unlikely to trouble the Northampton manager too much as he uses the opportunity of a break from action to get his squad in shape for the promotion run-in.
Speaking to the official club website, Wilder said: "We had a meeting late last week to plan for these two weeks, we won't just fritter them away, we will make sure we work on things and those who need the rest and who need a break to be refreshed are looked after."
There would have been a huge focus on the club this week if Chelsea had been the visitors to Sixfields on Sunday but in the longer-term it may be something of a blessing in disguise that it is to MK Dons that the Premier League champions will instead be travelling.
February’s fixtures begin with York City, currently bottom of the division, before a busy spell of 6 matches in 18 days starts with a trip to face Leyton Orient on Saturday 13th.