Northampton Town manager Stuart Gray has handed striker Andy Kirk a pre-season boost, by taking him off the transfer list and confirming the opportunity is there for him to have a big part to play in his plans at Sixfields.

"I have had a long chat with Andy as we start pre-season," said the Cobblers boss.

"I have told him that I have taken him off the transfer list and that it is a fresh start and a clean slate for everyone. I inherited the situation with Andy but I have said to him that was happened last season is in the past and I am looking forward, not back.

"I want Andy to feel settled and wanted. He has a goalscoring record to be envied and although he did not score as many goals as he or we would have liked last season, we all know what a dangerous player he can be.

"Hopefully, by showing Andy how much we want him to stay here and succeed will make him feel more settled and wanted and help spur him on. He could have a very big part to play this season and a fit and firing Andy Kirk is an asset to any club.

"It is a fine line for any striker to find their best form but we all know what Andy is capable of and what a threat he can be."

www.claretandwhite.co.uk FOR ALL YOUR FINANCIAL ADVICE. YOU MAY BE ABLE TO SAVE MONEY ON YOUR MORTGAGE, MITIGATE INHERITANCE TAX LIABILITY, ASSIST IN RETIREMENT PLANNING OR SIMPLY MAXIMISE TAX EFFICIENT SAVINGS.