Northampton Town

N Ireland striker Quinn retires
Northern Ireland and Northampton Town striker James Quinn has quit football after his failure to break back into the international scene. The 32-year-old won 50 caps and scored four goals for Northern Ireland since making his debut against Italy in 1997. Northern Ireland boss Nigel Worthington had told former Blackpool player that he was still in his plans. "I knew playing for Northampton wasn't good enough to earn me a place in the international team," said Quinn. "Nigel phoned me when he took over and told me if I was playing regularly then there was still a role for me with Northern Ireland," he told the Belfast Telegraph. "If I can't play for Northern Ireland then I would rather quit football and become a fan and cheer the lads on to qualification. "I've played 50 times for my county and that fills me with pride."

Jackman forced to see specialist
Northampton defender Danny Jackman will see a specialist after his attempts to come back from a medial knee ligament injury ended in disappointment. The 24-year-old broke down during his comeback training session on Monday. Jackman initially picked up the injury in training last month and has been out of action for the last five games. Boss Stuart Gray told the Northampton Chronicle: "He tried to train but isn't quite right and so he's had to ease back while a specialist takes a look."

Tribunal sets fee for Coke switch
Northampton have been ordered to pay Mansfield a package worth up to £70,000 for 21-year-old midfielder Giles Coke. The Stags are entitled to a fee because Coke is and under 24. But it has been decided by a tribunal that £15,000 will be paid immediately, with another £15,000 payable in October and a further £7,500 in January 2008. Another £40,000 will be paid dependant on appearances with £10,000 payable after 10, 20, 30 and 40 games and there is also a 20% sell on clause. Coke joined the Cobblers on a two-year deal in July after rejecting a new contract with Mansfield. He started his career as a trainee at QPR, had a spell at Kingstonian and then joined Mansfield in March 2005.

Cobblers sign Branston from Posh
Northampton have signed Peterborough defender Guy Branston on a month's loan, after losing fellow centre-back Chris Doig to a long-term injury. Doig will be on the sidelines for three to four months after tearing knee ligaments in the 1-1 draw against Darlington on Saturday. Branston, 28, has made nearly 250 league appearances for 11 clubs. Meanwhile the Cobblers' move to sign Polish defender Marcin Adamski has fallen through. Adamski had been on trial with Northampton, but the club could not agree terms with his agent. Cobblers boss Stuart Gray moved for Branston after Doig's injury was found to be worse than they had feared. "We thought Chris would only be out for a month and that it was just a hamstring injury, but he's going to need surgery," Gray told the club's website. "While we have some very talented centre-backs on our books, they don't have a great deal of experience between them. "So the knowledge and experience Guy will bring to us will be of benefit - he is a leader with a very good attitude." Branston is ineligible for Northampton's FA Cup replay with Darlington next Tuesday as he was not signed in time for the original tie, but he does have permission to play in the second round if Gray's men progress.

Wolves to recall Cobblers loanee
Wolves manager Mick McCarthy has decided that left-back Daniel Jones should return from his loan spell at Northampton in January. The Cobblers had hoped to negotiate an extension for the 21-year-old, who has made 23 appearances for them during his half-season loan stint at Sixfields. "I would like him back now he's got five months' experience under his belt," McCarthy told the club website. "And I think he would like the chance to come back and play." Jones was on target for the Cobblers in Friday's emphatic 4-1 win against Bournemouth.

Gray bemoans poor Town possession
Northampton boss Stuart Gray says his team's failure to keep possession caused their 3-0 defeat at Leeds. "We wanted to try and frustrate Leeds, and I think for a time we did that, but when we did have the ball we gave it away far too cheaply," he said. "I was very disappointed with the goal we conceded just before half-time because we had good posession of the ball but gave it away too cheaply. "If you don't get the basics right then you are going to be under pressure."

Northampton net striker Akinfenwa
Northampton Town have signed striker Adebayo Akinfenwa on a deal which runs until the end of the season. Akinfenwa joined Millwall on a month-to-month contract in November but left the Lions after his contract expired on 15 January. The former Swansea striker has scored 42 goals from 89 starts and 51 substitute appearances. Cobblers boss Stuart Gray said: "Adebayo has attributes that we don't currently have in the squad."

Northampton's Doig back training
Northampton Town captain Chris Doig has resumed training with Stuart Gray's squad for the first time in more than two months following a knee injury. The 26-year-old defender needed surgery after tearing ligaments in the 1-1 draw against Darlington in November. "He's still a way off and we don't want to take any risks with him because it was a bad injury," manager Gray told the club's website. "Hopefully we'll get him into a reserve game in the next week to 10 days."

McGoldrick joins Cobblers staff
Former Arsenal and Crystal Palace winger Eddie McGoldrick has joined the coaching staff at Northampton Town. The 42-year-old began his career at the Cobblers before joining Palace, making 147 appearances before joining Arsenal, where he played 57 times from 1993-96. He won 15 Republic of Ireland caps and also played for Manchester City. He will take charge of the Under 14's and joins other former players Sean Parrish, Ray Warburton and Trevor Gould at the club's Centre of Excellence.

Cobblers hope to keep Wolves man
Northampton boss Stuart Gray is hopeful he will be able to extend defender Mark Little's loan from Wolves. Gray told his club's website: "Mark Little's loan spell is up after Saturday but we are speaking to Wolves and hopefully it will be extended. "If we do that, then Wolves will have the option of a 24-hour recall on him. "Mark is a bit of a crowd favourite here already. He's got a bit of pace and enjoys defending. He has slotted in very well for us."

Gray hoping for new unbeaten run
Northampton boss Stuart Gray wants his players to start a new unbeaten run after their defeat at Yeovil ended a sequence of six games without defeat. "Our unbeaten run is over and we need to start a new one against Gillingham on Saturday," said Gray. "But we can only do that if we do the basic things right. We need to work hard and pass the ball better. "If we do the things that we were doing during our unbeaten run than I am sure that we can get a result."

Calderwood upbeat over promotion
Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood feels his side can still gain automatic promotion despite the draw at Crewe. The 0-0 draw at Gresty Road means Forest are now eight points behind Doncaster in second place, although the Reds have a game in hand. He said: "It was not a great result. We are still in the chasing pack but we have to win the next couple of games. "I am satisfied with the effort and the desire was there. There was never any threat of us losing."

Gyepes signs new Northampton deal
Northampton defender Gabor Gyepes has signed a new deal to keep him at Sixfields for next season. The 26-year-old Hungary international joined the Cobblers until the end of the season in January, following his release by Wolves last April. He has played 10 times since his return to England following a serious injury. Cobblers boss Stuart Gray told the club website: "He has done well since coming in, his fitness is building all the time. He brings a calming influence."

Quartet released by Northampton
Northampton Town will release defenders Danny May and Brett Johnson, midfielder Joe Burnell and striker Poul Hubertz at the end of the season. Boss Stuart Gray will offer new contracts to Andy Holt and Ryan Gilligan but no decision has yet been made about striker Adebayo Akinfenwa. Gray said: "If we are to continue to try and move forward we need to create room in the squad to try and improve. "I have nothing but praise for the lads who will not be offered new terms."

Man City look at Cobblers keeper
Northampton goalkeeper Mark Bunn is to spend two days this week training with Premier League Manchester City. The highly-rated 23-year-old, who has made more than 100 first-team appearances for the Cobblers, will work with City's goalkeepers and staff. Northampton manager Stuart Gray said: "This is an excellent opportunity. "These two days will give Mark a taste of what is demanded at the very highest level and will give him a chance to work with Premier League players." Bunn was Northampton's player of the year last season and is in line to win the award again.

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