Langmead blow for Cobblers
Northampton host Torquay without skipper Kelvin Langmead.
Langmead underwent surgery on Thursday after a knee injury forced him off after just 12 minutes of the Cobblers' 1-0 home win over Oxford last weekend.
The centre-half, who had been an ever-present in Aidy Boothroyd's team this season prior to that, is expected to regain fitness before the end of the campaign.
Nathan Cameron has been drafted in as cover for Langmead and the 21-year-old, on loan from Coventry, will compete with Lee Collins for a starting role against the Gulls.
John Johnson was also withdrawn against Oxford because of a hamstring strain but the right-back will be fit for Friday night's fixture.
Midfielder Chris Hackett has been playing despite a slight calf strain and Cobblers boss Boothroyd may opt to rest him at some point over the Easter schedule with two matches in the space of four days.
Torquay's long-serving left-back Kevin Nicholson looks set to return to the starting line-up.
With defender Tom Cruise serving a one-match suspension for his dismissal against York last weekend 32-year-old Nicholson, who has been with the Gulls since 2007, is expected to get the nod.
Manager Alan Knill has no fresh injury worries ahead of the trip but he remains without Craig Easton who is sidelined with a calf injury.
A number of Knill's squad got some valuable game time under their belt in the Devon Bowl semi-final win over Bideford in midweek. Nathan Craig and Ashley Yeoman, regulars on the bench in recent weeks, scored the goals while Aaron Downes and Ian Morris played for 90 minutes.
Downes was an unused substitute last weekend having returned from suspension while Morris is returning to match fitness after his Achilles tendon injury.
Eight points from their last four match has lifted United five points clear of the drop zone ahead of the Easter fixtures.
Source: PA
Source: PA