Cobblers boss previews Friday's final pre-season game
Chris Wilder has said his players will put any off the field thoughts about the pending takeover to one side as they look to finish a successful pre-season campaign on a high at Sheffield on Friday night (7.30pm).
"The takeover is happening but that's nothing to do with us,” he said.
“We have some strong characters who police the dressing room and we won't let it bother us. These things happen and we have enough on our plate trying to win football matches, we can't and shouldn’t waste our energy or time worrying about what we can't control. The players have put that to one side, the attitude and commitment has been exceptional and I can't praise them highly enough.
"We finish pre-season at Sheffield on Friday and we are looking forward to that game and the start of the season. I've got big connections with Sheffield and it fits into our schedule nicely. It will be a good, competitive game and I'm keeping a promise I made that one day I would take a team there and we will enjoy it.
"It will be a good night, played in a good spirit on a good surface and I want us to round pre-season off in the right way. The players have been in every day this week, we will work hard on Friday then have the weekend off and come back on Monday ready to work hard to prepare for Bristol Rovers.
"Ricky Holmes will play some part on Friday, He is a big player for us but we have seen some good displays from Alfie Potter, Lawson and Nicky Adams to cover his absence but of course we want Ricky back as soon as we can. Evan Horwood and Brendan Moloney are progressing and Brendan and Ricky should both be available for Bristol Rovers."