Artell back for Cobblers
David Artell is set to make his long-awaited return to the Northampton squad when Burton visit Sixfields.
Artell has made a complete recovery from the Achilles injury that has kept him out since the start of October.
The experienced centre-back will provide significant competition for places in a defence that leaked three goals in the opening 25 minutes at Chesterfield last weekend.
However, fellow defender John Johnson, who has also spent several weeks on the sidelines due to a knee injury, will not be considered for selection.
Cobblers boss Aidy Boothroyd will take a more cautious approach with the full-back, who has had two knee operations this season and whose comeback from the first of those was aborted in November.
"Ideally I would like them both to play in a reserve-team game but at the moment I might have to use the games to get them fit if I need them," said Boothroyd.
"Dave Artell will come into contention for Saturday and be on the bench at least. Johnno is still not quite right yet so we'll take our time with him."
Boothroyd could also opt to freshen up his team with the likes of Ishmel Demontagnac, Lewis Hornby, Lewis Wilson and Louis Moult - all of whom were on the bench for the 3-0 defeat at Chesterfield.
Burton are assessing midfielder Lee Bell and leading scorer Calvin Zola.
Bell came off in injury-time at the end of Albion's 2-1 home win over Torquay last weekend after being on the receiving end of a heavy tackle.
Zola also failed to finish the game - but only after scoring Burton's opening goal in a victory that powered the Brewers back into the npower League Two play-off places.
The big striker suffered a recurrence of a groin strain that had prevented him from training since the FA Cup tie at Leicester on January 5.
Boss Gary Rowett has options should he need to replace either Bell or Zola, or opt to make changes to his starting line-up.
Defenders Aaron Webster and Marcus Holness, midfielders Jack Dyer, John McGrath and Jimmy Phillips and striker Matt Paterson are all vying for recalls.
Source: PA
