Midfielder Matt Crooks comes back into the Cobblers squad for the visit of Charlton Athletic on Good Friday after completing his suspension.
John-Joe O'Toole remains unavailable as he serves the second game of his three-match ban.
"It's very important to have Matt back," said boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
"He gives us energy, he covers a lot of ground and he gives us something going forward as well.
"Looking back, I should have made more changes last Saturday to freshen things up.
"Footballers want to play every game and you want that but you need to know when players need taking out and maybe more time to recover.
"I wanted to reward them for their performance against Shrewsbury but maybe it wasn't realistic to expect the same levels of energy to be displayed from some of the players a few days later and we possibly needed fresher legs to do that.
"Everybody is okay from last Saturday and Aaron Pierre has joined in with the warm-up this week."
Cobblers: Richard O’Donnell, Shay Facey, Brendan Moloney (sub Gboly Ariyibi 40), Ash Taylor, Jordan Turnbull, David Buchanan, Matt Crooks, Shaun McWilliams (sub Hildeberto Pereira 52), Matt Grimes, Chris Long, Kevin van Veen (sub Boris Mathis 68) Subs not used: David Cornell, Leon Barnett, Sam Hoskins, Joe Bunney
Charlton: Ben Amos, Lewis Page, Patrick Bauer, Jason Pearce, Nicky Ajose (sub Stephy Mavididi 64), Ben Reeves, Tariqe Fosu (sub Sullay Kaikai 80), Joe Aribo, Jake Forster-Caskey, Michal Zyro (sub Josh Magennis 67), Anfernee Dijksteel Subs not used: Mark Marshall, Dillon Phillips, Ezri Konsa, Naby Sarr
Referee: Gavin Ward
Booked: Cobblers: Brendan Moloney (34, 4th of the season), Shaun McWilliams (45, 5th), Matt Crooks (87, 9th), Hildeberto Pereira (90, 4th) Charlton: Jason Pearce (71)
15 cautions at any time in season; 3 match suspension
Sent off: Cobblers: none Charlton: none
Sendings off: 2 cautions in one game; 1 match suspension but cautions do not count towards above totals. Other sendings off; 1 or 3 match suspension. Extra match ban for additional sendings off.
Chris Long, David Buchanan and Matt Crooks, back from a three-match ban, all came into the side for the visit of Charlton Athletic on Good Friday. John-Joe O’Toole (suspended) remained unavailable.
Before kick-off there was a period of silence as Sixfields paid tribute to Walter Tull to mark the 100th anniversary of his passing.
The Cobblers started on the front foot, Kevin van Veen forcing an early corner but it was play-off chasing Charlton who made the breakthrough on 14 minutes, Tariqe Fosu’s left-wing cross headed in by Ben Reeves.
Matt Grimes flashed a shot just wide before Tariqe Fosu found the bottom corner to double Charlton’s lead.
Richard O’Donnell saved from Fosu as Charlton continued to look dangerous while at the other end a cross come shot from Buchanan had Ben Amos backpedalling, the ball landing on the roof of the net. Gboly Ariyibi then replaced the booked Brendan Moloney as boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink made a change before half-time.
Jake Forster-Caskey tested O’Donnell at the start of the second half and it wasn’t long before Charlton increased their lead, Tariqe Fosu beating a couple of defenders before scoring his second of the afternoon.
Joe Aribo set up a chance for Forster-Caskey but his shot was palmed behind by O’Donnell. Boris Mathis then came on for van Veen in the Cobblers final change, Hildeberto Pereira having already come on for Shaun McWilliams.
Fosu went close to completing his hat-trick with a fierce strike from 30-yards before substitute Josh Magennis completed the scoring after getting on the end of a Ben Reeves cross.
COBBLERS MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (0) 2 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (2) 2 CORNERS: (1) 3 FOULS: (13) 23 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2
CHARLTON MATCH STATS (first half in brackets, match total out of brackets) SHOTS ON TARGET: (3) 13 SHOTS OFF TARGET: (4) 7 CORNERS: (4) 8 FOULS: (2) 7 CAUGHT OFFSIDE: (1) 2
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Sixfields is heading for a big crowd on Good Friday when Northampton Town welcome Charlton Athletic for a 3pm kick off.
Supporters have been snapping tickets up for the game, and a large attendance is certain, but tickets do remain on sale and it is expected they will be available on arrival.
Tickets can be purchased ahead of matchday via ntfcdirect.co.uk with the best prices available ahead of matchday.
On Friday, please visit the main ticket office if you are looking to purchase tickets on arrival.
If collecting pre-ordered match tickets, please visit the ticket point opposite the main entrance.
Please note that tickets for forthcoming games and season tickets are on sale, but for the hour before kick off the ticket office will be selling Charlton Athletic match tickets only.
Remember, you can beat the queues by buying match tickets via ntfcdirect.co.uk and printing your tickets at home!
As part of increased security measures, a 100% search policy will be in operation. Because of this, supporters are advised to arrive as early as possible. Turnstiles will be open from 1pm.
Three points isn't the only priority on Friday, making sure everyone goes home safe is the most important result.
Northampton Town have been working closely with the police and the EFL to review security at Sixfields. Now we are asking you to do your bit.
It is vital that everyone - players, staff and supporters - remain vigilant and report any concerns to stewards or police.
Attacks might be rare, and the chance of you being caught up in one unlikely, but the message is #ActionCountersTerrorism.
Here's a quick reminder of what you can do to help keep yourself and others safe: • Arrive early, allowing more time for security checks • Minimise what you carry, fewer bag searches will speed up entry to the ground • Be vigilant at all times and if you see anything suspicious, tell a steward right away • If you see anything that could pose an immediate threat to safety, call 999 • In an emergency, listen to the Public Address instructions and follow them • If told to evacuate, do so immediately, do not wait around to film events on your mobile • Move right away from the stadium as quickly as possible for your safety and to allow clear access for any emergency vehicles • Once you are safe, follow Northamptonshire Police on Twitter for updates
POLITE NOTICE: Supporters are reminded that only food and drink purchased within the stadium should be consumed on the stadium premises please. Thank you.
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