George North has hailed ‘father figure’ Christian Day following the Saints lock’s England Saxons call-up.

Day, along with Alex Waller and Lee Dickson, who will captain the Saxons, has been named in the squad to take on the Ireland Wolfhounds in Cork on January 30.

It is just reward for the consistency the 31-year-old has shown since joining Saints from Stade Francais in 2008.

He was voted players’ player of the year at Franklin’s Gardens last season and North has nothing but praise for his influential team-mate.

“He’s like the father figure to many of the boys, even though he doesn’t like to say he’s old,” said the Wales wing.

“He’s outstanding. What he does around the park is graft. His set piece work is second to none and his hard work gives us that platform to play off.

“It’s not only in the game, but he also looks into the opposition and sees how we can utilise that in our attack.”

Chris Wilder has praised the Cobblers’ weekend opponents Newport County as a good side who play ‘sensible football’.

Newport visit Sixfields on the back of a 4-0 thumping at Cambridge United but remain fifth in Sky Bet League Two and firmly in the race for promotion to the next level.

They were comfortable winners in the meeting between the two sides earlier in the season, producing an excellent first-half performance and going on to win 3-2.

And although Northampton have improved in the past few weeks, winning back-to-back games and keeping successive clean sheets, Wilder knows his team will have their work cut out against the Exiles.

“They play proper, sensible football,” he said. “I think Justin (Edinburgh, Newport manager) had a go at a couple of Portsmouth reporters for saying they do this and they do that but look at their league position.
“That’s a fantastic league position and I’d swap ours for theirs. They compete when they have to and they play in the right areas.

“Whatever formation they play, they are a tough team to play against and I think we’d all like our teams to be like that, to have that good mix of being able to win battles and being able to play.

“They will want to show a reaction to the disappointing day they had at Cambridge last week but they haven’t had many disappointing days this season.”

The Cobblers’ 3-2 defeat at Rodney Parade in September was only their second away defeat of the league campaign at that point but it was, Wilder admits, a fully-deserved loss.

Newport were 3-0 up at half-time before a Lawson D’Ath wonder goal and Marc Richards header set up a grandstand finish for the visitors.

But Edinburgh’s side held on and have maintained that strength and consistency throughout the campaign.

“They started like a train in the game at their place,” he said. “They were 3-0 up before half-time and then we managed to stage a bit of a fightback.

“On another day we might have got something from the game but they’ve shown the consistency we’re all after throughout the whole season.

“They played really well on the day, were better than us and maybe that was a correct result even though we could have snatched something at the end.”

A widower has branded Berrywood Hospital in Northampton a “joke” and “a holiday camp” after staff failed to record a suicide attempt his wife made, only days before ending her own life.

Isobel Griffin, of Daniell Walk, in Corby, used a dressing gown cord to hang herself in a room at the Bay Ward of the mental health facility on August 17, 2013.

An inquest into her death yesterday heard how the mother-of-two had been admitted there just over a fortnight earlier, after she had gone missing from her home and was found days later having taken a drugs overdose.

But as staff did not record that she was a high ‘ligature risk’, she was allowed to keep a dressing gown in her room, a part of which she ultimately used to take her own life.

Days before her death, she had admitted to a nurse that she had tried to use a belt to strangle herself on four separate occasions.

Speaking at the inquest, her husband of 39 years, Jim Griffin, criticised the facility for the way it handled her care.

He said: “It was a shambles, it was disorganised, nobody seemed to know who, where or what was going on.

“It seemed like a holiday camp; the hospital itself was a joke.”

Mrs Griffin, who was 57, had a history of mental health problems dating back to 1980 and had been diagnosed as having an ongoing personality disorder more than a year before the end of her life.

The inquest heard that on August 7, while being treated at Berrywood, she handed over a belt and scissors to a hospital nurse for her own safety, admitting that she had tried to take her own life on four previous occasions.

But the incident was not recorded in a ‘risk assessment’ of her.

Acting on behalf of Mrs Griffin’s family, solicitor Richard Adams, asked Tandiwe Mugwagwa, the nurse in charge of updating that assessment: “Would you not have thought those events on the seventh of August were significant events?”

Ms Mugwagwa replied: “On the day that happened, that should have been highlighted as a risk as well. I’m not denying that,”

The inquest also heard other factors which might have pointed to Mrs Griffin being a suicide risk.

Ms Mugwaga said Mrs Giffin had regularly expressed thoughts about harming herself and how she was plagued by suicidal thoughts.

Ms Mugwagwa told the inquest: “Every time I had a one-to-one with her, she only spoke of how she wanted to die.”

‎Head of hospitals (South) at Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, Andres Patino, was asked by assistant coroner Belinda Cheney how a ligature could have been attached to a door frame in a mental health unit.

Mr Patino said that at the time “it had already been identified that you could secure a ligature to the main bedroom door,” essentially via a door pin visible at the top of the frame.

However the inquest also heard that this was a problem experienced by a lot of similar hospitals due to the designs of two-way opening doors.

The coroner, addressing Mr Patino, said: “I wonder, someone who has expressed suicidal ideation and has talked about ligatures and harming others, would it not have been appropriate to have searched her room on a daily basis to remove certain items?”

He answered: “I certainly would have expected some discussion about what kind of items were in her room.”

He added that the hospital had since conducted a review of the way it carries out risk assessments, which is ongoing.

The inquest was set to conclude today.

Former High Sheriff of Northamptonshire and three-times Olympic rower, Christopher Davidge, has died aged 85.

Born and raised in Northampton, Christopher Guy Vere Davidge lived with his wife, Jill, in Little Houghton before he passed away on December 22, 2014.

He served the town in many ways, including acting for a decade as the vice president at St Andrew’s Hospital, following previous generations of family members, some of who helped found the mental health hospital.

He was also a chairman of governors at Three Shires Hospital, which he co-founded,and chairman of trustees as the University of Northampton.

He was also acknowledged as a kindly landlord and rented out two farms and about twenty houses in and around Little Houghton.

The Little Houghton Estate he managed stretched from the edge of Northampton to Brafield’s boundary with Denton.

He was known by almost everyone in Little Houghton because he and his wife open the grounds of their house for functions, the Village Fete, and each Christmas Eve, the Oakley Hounds meet.

Friend of many decades and church warden John Ford said at Mr Davidge’s funeral service: “He loved parties.

“Nothing gave him more pleasure than to fill his house and garden with people.

“That he did on many occasions, always with gracious ease and generosity.”

In 1988, Mr Davidge acted as High Sheriff for Northamptonshire, following in the footsteps of his father, Vere, in 1950.

But he was best known for his commitment to rowing, competing for Great Britain in the Olympics of 1952, 1956 and 1960, and won Silver Goblets at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta on three occasions.

In a letter of condolence to Mrs Davidge – one of about 200 so far – Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the British Olympic Association, wrote: “I don’t need to say what an extraordinary inspiration and role model he was to so many across all sport.

“His wonderful achievements were a credit to him and to the country,”

The former Oxford University student competed in the famous Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race three times, including in 1951 when the Oxford boat sank and in 1952 when his crew won by a length in a snowstorm.

Mrs Davidge said her husband was very highly regarded among the rowing community and she has had a personal visit from Sir Steve Redgrave since Mr Davidge’s death.

Mrs Davidge said: “Most people who met him would agree he was a very nice person. To me, as a husband, he was splendid.”

British Rowing described Mr Davidge as a “great oarsman and servant of the sport” for more than 60 years. He became chairman of the Regattas Commission for world rowing body FISA, vice president of the British Olympic Association and Steward of the Henley Regatta. While president of the Amateur Rowing Association, he was appointed honorary life president and in 1973 received a Medal of Honour for outstanding service to the sport.

A 59-year-old man from Northampton who indecently assaulted and raped a boy has been given a jail sentence of 18 years.

James McLachlan, of Mushroom Field Road, Ecton Brook, was sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on Thursday after he was convicted of the historical charges.

McLachlan was found guilty of the offences after a trial last year.

Judge Lynn Tayton, sentencing, said the victim had suffered severe psychological harm as a result.

Judge Tayton sentenced McLachlan to 18 years in jail. McLachlan will serve half his sentence in jail before being released on licence.

He will be on the Sex Offenders’ Register for life.

Anglers have found a 15ft net used for illegal fishing discarded in Abington Park.

The gillnet, a commercially-used net used to trap large numbers of fish at once, was found behind a tree stump about 15 metres from the edge of one of the park’s lakes by members of the Abington Angling club.

It is illegal to use the gillnets in public waterways because of the massive impact they have on the eco system. It is particularly serious to use them at Abington Park because even fish caught there - which include bream and carp - using legitimate methods and with a permit have to be released alive.

Vince Battams, a member of the Abington Angling Club committee, said he found the net at 7am on Sunday and believes it was discarded by the poachers after they were disturbed by a dog walker.

He said: “A couple of us were down there and we noticed a big mess near the bank. After we found the net, we realised the mess must have been the material they had dredged up.

“We’ve heard lots of rumours over the last year about fish being taken, as well as ducks, but this is the first time we’ve found any actual equipment.

“It’s a terrible thing to find because there aren’t many fish left and the fewer there are the more club members dwindle.”

Mr Battams called the police, as well as Northampton Borough Council, who are the landlords of the lake.

A police spokesman said: “We took the dragnet to the police station then disposed of it.

“As a result of the report we are putting on extra patrols in the area to keep an eye out for more of this kind of activity.”

Gillnets, which are often made out of nylon fishing line-type material, are used in commercial fishing and feature a floating line attached to the top and weights on the bottom.

Poachers will normally wade or row into the water and arrange the net in a semi-circle connected to the bank.

The net is then pulled in and large fish that try to swim away get their heads trapped in the mesh.

A permanent commentary box and media centre for use during live cricket matches is being built at the County Ground in Northampton.

The structure will replace the facility normally erected each season for use by the Sky Sports presenting team, which has regularly been the subject of complaints by spectators.

A spokesman for Northamptonshire County Cricket Club said: “People had complained to us that the gantry would obscure views of the action so this will hopefully solve that problem.

“It should improve the experience for our spectators.”

The blocked views have been an issue for at least 10 years when TV scaffolding at the other end of the ground obstructing views from the pavilion.

Scaffolding would stay up , even when not being used, for the whole season.

Kahn Fotuali’i has recovered from a shoulder problem and will be on the bench for Saints’ crucial Champions Cup clash with Racing Metro on Saturday (ko 3.15pm).

The Samoan scrum-half has been sidelined since sustaining the injury in the act of scoring a try in the win against Harlequins at Twickenham on December 27.

Saints have made three changes to the side which won 20-9 at Ospreys last weekend, with Alex Corbisiero, Salesi Ma’afu and James Wilson coming in.

Corbisiero replaces Alex Waller, Ma’afu, back after serving a one-week ban, is in for Gareth Denman, while Wilson fills the void left by Ben Foden, who is out for the season with a knee injury.

Tom Stephenson takes Wilson’s place on the bench, with Teimana Harrison also among the replacements.

Meanwhile, former Saints favourites Brian Mujati and Juandre Kruger are among the Racing replacements.

Jonny Sexton misses out with a head injury, while Brice Dulin and Alexandre Dumoulin are also sidelined.

But Racing can call on Wales stars Jamie Roberts, who starts, and Mike Phillips, who will be on the bench.

Saints: Wilson; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Dickson; Corbisiero, Hartley (c), Ma’afu; Dickinson, Day; Wood, Clark, Manoa.

Replacements: Haywood, A Waller, Denman, Dowson, Harrison, Fotuali’i, Stephenson, Elliott.

Racing Metro: Lapeyre; Imhoff, Chavancy, Roberts, Thomas; 10. Dambielle, Machenaud; Ben Arous, Szarzewski (c), Ducalcon; Charteris, van der Merwe; Lauret, Le Roux, Claassen.

Replacements: Lacombe, Brugnaut, Mujati, Kruger, Gerondeau, Phillips, Goosen, Chat.

Fixture: Northampton Saints v Racing Metro (Champions Cup Pool 5 - match six)

Date/kick-off time: Saturday, January 24, 3.15pm

Venue: Franklin’s Gardens

Weather forecast: 4C, clear

Referee: Nigel Owens

Saints: Wilson; K Pisi, G Pisi, Burrell, North; Myler, Dickson; Corbisiero, Hartley (c), Ma’afu; Dickinson, Day; Wood, Clark, Manoa.

Replacements: Haywood, A Waller, Denman, Dowson, Harrison, Fotuali’i, Stephenson, Elliott.

Racing Metro: Lapeyre; Imhoff, Chavancy, Roberts, Thomas; 10. Dambielle, Machenaud; Ben Arous, Szarzewski (c), Ducalcon; Charteris, van der Merwe; Lauret, Le Roux, Claassen.

Replacements: Lacombe, Brugnaut, Mujati, Kruger, Gerondeau, Phillips, Goosen, Chat.

Outs: Saints: Fisher (foot), Lawes (ankle), Foden (knee). Racing Metro: Jonny Sexton (head), Dulin (shoulder), Dumoulin (Achilles)

Most recent meeting: Saturday, October 18: Racing Metro 20 Saints 11 (Champions Cup)

Tom’s preview: The comeback is almost complete.

Four wins from four high-pressure matches has put Saints in position for a place in the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

And having not made the last eight of Europe’s top tier competition since reaching the Heineken Cup final in 2011, Jim Mallinder’s men crave another shot at the best the continent has to offer.

First though, they know they must exact revenge on Racing Metro.

Revenge for that disappointing 20-11 defeat on opening night in Colombes.

Back then, the drumbeat of the home support weighed heavy on Saints souls.

Heads of players and travelling fans were pounding with the incessant sound created by the fervent few at Stade Yves du Manoir.

Saints, who surrendered a losing bonus point late on, knew they could have done better, especially with their hosts having been down to 14 men twice in the match.

And they knew they would have a mammoth rebuilding job on their hands in the next five games.

But, rebuild they have, smashing Ospreys the following weekend before trouncing Treviso twice in December.

Last Sunday’s sturdy 20-9 success in south-west Wales put Saints one win away from achieving their goal of qualification.

And, not only that, they know that if they can beat Racing Metro at Franklin’s Gardens, they can set up a home knock-out tie at stadium:mk at the start of April.

The incentives are striking and Saints have the prowess to progress.

They are seen by some as the biggest threat to Toulon’s European dominance and will be desperate to show why this weekend.

Tom’s prediction: Saints 22 Racing Metro 15

Fixture: Northampton Town v Newport County

Date/kick-off time: Saturday, January 24, 3pm

Venue: Sixfields Stadium, Northampton

Weather forecast: 5C, sunny

Outs and doubts: Cobblers: Ian Morris (knee), Kaid Mohamed (broken metatarsal). Newport: Robbie Willmott (broken foot)

Betting: Cobblers 6/4, draw 5/2, Dagenham & Redbridge 2/1

Form guide: Cobblers WWDLLL, Newport LWWWWL

Possible line-ups: Northampton (4-4-1-1): Duke, Moloney, Cresswell, Collins, Horwood, D’Ath, Taylor, Byrom, Holmes, O’Toole, Richards. Newport (3-5-2): Day; Poole, Jones, Yakubu; Jackson, Minshull, Byrne, Chapman, Sandell; O’Connor, Zebroski

Last time out: Cobblers beat Dagenham 1-0 (Holmes), Newport lost 4-0 at Cambridge United

Most recent meeting: Saturday, September 13: Newport 3 Northampton 2 (D’Ath, Richards)

Cobblers connection: Danny Crow recently announced his retirement from professional football to move to Lowestoft and concentrate on his coaching career, while still playing part-time. Newport will be listed as his final Football League club while his first are Norwich City, who loaned him to the Cobblers for a 10-game spell in 2005.

Jefferson Lake’s preview: Northampton’s team selection will remain the same and their manager Chris Wilder will hope for a repeat of the past two winning performances but the standard of opposition moves up a notch this weekend when Newport County come to town.

The Exiles might have lost their previous game 4-0, at Cambridge United, but prior to that they won seven out of eight league games and arrive at Sixfields very much in the promotion play-off picture.

Memories of the early-season meeting between the two sides are not fond ones - Newport blew the Cobblers away on that September afternoon and were three goals up before half-time.

What cost Town that day is likely to be the key feature of the game against this week, namely how well they cope with Newport’s 3-5-2 system; in the game at Rodney Parade, both wing-backs but especially Ryan Jackson, were outstanding and caused a multitude of problems for the Northampton defence.

They may make tweaks to the midfield for the weekend - Michael Flynn, Max Porter and Yan Klukowski are all in the frame to play after a less-than-impressive display by the middle men at Cambridge.

Manager Justin Edinburgh has been known to shuffle his pack after disappointing results and so that should logically be the case after their largest defeat of the season.

There are unlikely to be any changes in attack or defence, however, which could mean a glimpse of one of the division’s brightest emerging stars in 16-year-old centre-back Regan Poole.

Newport have an unwanted and perhaps undeserved reputation as a physical and direct team - they don’t play any more long balls than your average league two side and, with pace out wide, have mastered a good balance of the technical and the tough.

They do not play with a target man and their key strength is their system, but the Cobblers can take encouragement that it can be a weakness too, and it will be interesting to see how the Newport wing-backs cope with the busy presence of Lawson D’Ath and Ricky Holmes, of whom another strong performance is required.

Prediction: Northampton Town 1 Newport County 1

Cobblers chairman David Cardoza says work will restart on the redevelopment of the east stand at Sixfields ‘in the near future’.

Cardoza issed a statement today, and although he is still not able to name a date for work to resume, he insists he is pleased with the progress being made behind the scenes and that ‘there is a will from all parties to get work resumed as soon as possible’.

The Town chairman said: “We had an excellent meeting earlier this week with the stakeholders involved and we have agreed the way forward.

“Many of the issues were resolved at that meeting and we are waiting to hear back on a couple of points and to confirm an exact date for work to resume, but we are expecting it to be in the near future.

“There is a will from all parties to get work resumed as soon as possible and we will share that start date with supporters as soon as it is confirmed to us.

“We thank supporters for their understanding and patience.”

The news that work still hasn’t resumed, and that there is still no definite date for work to restart, is bound to frustrate some supporters.

The refurbished east stand was originally due to open in September, but the project has been dogged by delays and problems with building and design, and as February approaches, the stand is nowhere near completion.

Building work on the new stand was suspended last Otober due to a legal action between the club and the contractors who were placed in charge of the project.

At the turn of the year, Cardoza stated that he hoped work would resume in early January, but it seems he is still being frustrated by red tape.

One thing that has pleased Cardoza though is the team’s upturn in form on the pitch.

Chris Wilder’s side are unbeaten in their three matches in 2015, and on Saturday they hope to make that four when they host high-flying Newport County.

“On the field it has been a good month for us so far,” said Cardoza, who has allowed Wilder to completely reshape his squad since the opening of the January transfer window.

“I hope supporters have enjoyed watching the side in the last few weeks and hopefully our recent form can continue.”

Two accidents on the M1 today have caused severe delays on the motorway in Northamptonshire.

A multi-vehicle accident has forced the closure of one lane of the motorway on the southbound carriageway between junction 17 for Dunchurch and junction 16 for Northampton.

There are severe delays in the area and congestion is backed up to junction 18 for Crick.

There are also severe delays and very slow traffic northbound on the M1 between junction 16 and junction 17 due to an earlier accident.

All lanes have reopened but there is congestion back to junction 15 for Northampton.

A ‘must see’ pantomime this February is Paulerspury Players’ Sleeping Beauty by Ben Crocker - applauded by AS Magazine as “the wittiest and most original writer working in pantomime today”.

Ben’s script won Best Panto in the NODA SW Awards for 2012 and has all the ingredients for an enchanting family show with all the traditions as well as several winning surprises.

Apart from the usual suspects in this ancient and enchanting love story, there are two Cats, one good and one bad, and the funniest Wicked Fairy, Carabosse, you will ever see. The show has been imbued with some great comedy including an hilarious cake baking scene.

Helpful Fairies modify Carabosse’s curse and together with the good palace cat, Kitty, they keep watch for 100 years while the palace sleeps – all within an evening’s show!

A new Prince arrives, looking remarkably like the old banished one, to find Princess Aurora sleeping, and luckily he manages to wake her in spite of Carabosse.

Paulerspury Players’ young and energetic cast throw in some cracking songs and as always invite audience participation, so come along and enjoy traditional pantomime excellently performed with a bit of slapstick and plenty of opportunities to shout “it’s behind you!”

Performances: Feb 18 to 21 inclusive. Evenings at 7.30pm, Matinee, Sat 21 at 2.30pm.

Adults £7, Children and Concessions £5. Call the box office on 0845 833 4910 or 01327 811578

Dorian West says it is crucial Saints see off Racing Metro and claim a home quarter-final in this season’s Champions Cup.

Victory at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday will see Northampton top Pool 5 and progress with the most points of any side in the competition.

That would guarantee a date at stadium:mk on the first weekend of April, with Saints holding happy memories of the ground.

When they reached the knock-out stages of the Heineken Cup in 2011, Jim Mallinder’s men defeated Ulster in the last eight and Perpignan in the semi-finals in Milton Keynes.

And West said: “Having home advantage makes a massive difference.

“When we reached the final in 2011 we did really well to get that home quarter and it’s huge to be in front of your home crowd.

“A year earlier (in 2010) we had to go to Munster in the last eight and it’s a really difficult situation when you’re away from home in front of a passionate crowd.

“It’s important that we get to play the game at home, it gives you an advantage in terms of the support, but in the last eight of this competition all the sides are going to be tough.

“Even if you do get a home quarter, it’s never guaranteed that you’re going to get through.

“It’s not impossible to win an away quarter, but it’s crucial that we get a good result this weekend.”

A 25-year-old man has been arrested after a minibus crashed into a house in Northamptonshire.

The minibus, which was not carrying passengers, drove into the front of a house in Kingsthorpe Avenue, causing substantial damage, shortly after 12.15pm on Wednesday.

The vehicle did not stop and was later found in Denford Road.

A 25-year-old man was arrested in connection with the incident and has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Youth workers in Northamptonshire are being urged to ensure young people in the county become ‘Fearless’ in the fight against crime with the launch of two local training events.

Initially only one event was due to be held, but a second session has now been added as a result of high demand.

Both events are due to be held at police force headquarters in Wootton Hall, Northampton on February 17. The first will be held from 10am to 1pm, and the second from 1.30pm to 4.30pm.

These training sessions are aimed at those working with young people including police officers, teachers, voluntary organisations and Safer Neighbourhood teams. Supported by Northamptonshire County Council, the training will discuss Fearless key messages, how Fearless can benefit work with young people, and ways of talking to young people about crime.

Fearless.org was launched nationally in April 2010 and is a website run by the independent crime-fighting charity Crimestoppers. The website provides young people with information about the types of crime that are common to them, and gives them the opportunity to pass on information about crime 100 percent anonymously.

Kiran Dhanda, East Midlands regional manager for Crimestoppers, explained why Fearless.org was so important.
“Young people are one of the most important audiences for Crimestoppers to communicate with. We want to reassure young people that information they give to Fearless.org about crime is taken seriously and that they have nothing to fear by contacting the charity.

“When someone contacts us we do not ask for their name or take any personal details. We do not trace calls/IP addresses and we do not record our calls. Those who give information do not have to give a statement to police or go to court. “We have never broken our promise of anonymity or revealed anyone’s identity.”

The website can be found at www.fearless.org or you can watch the Fearless film.

To book your place at this training event then please send an email to nelliott@northamptonshire.gov.uk stating your name, organisation role and contact details.

A woman has suffered a broken jaw after she was punched during an argument with a group of three men in Bridge Street, Northampton.

The assault happened shortly after 4am when the woman was walking along Bridge Street with a group of friends.

An argument broke out between the group and two or three men. The woman was punched in the face and suffered a broken jaw.

Officers are appealing for anyone who was in Bridge Street around that time and who may have witnessed the argument or the assault to contact them.

A man was arrested in connection with the incident and has been released on police bail pending further inquiries.

Witnesses or anyone with information are asked to contact Northamptonshire Police on 101. Alternatively, information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

Dorian West is looking forward to welcoming former Saints prop idol Brian Mujati back to Franklin’s Gardens this weekend.

But the coach is hoping Mujati’s return won’t be a happy one as Northampton need a win against Racing Metro in order to top Champions Cup Pool 5.

Mujati, who made 77 appearances for Saints, became a cult figure during his time at the club, with cries of ‘Mooj’ regularly ringing around the Gardens.

And he is sure to get a good reception this weekend as he turns out at his former home for the first time since leaving for Racing in the summer of 2013.

“It’s always funny when you’re doing your analysis of the opposition and there’s Mooj playing last week for them as tighthead prop,” said West.

“You can pick him out straight away, how he runs round the pitch and it’s always nice to see some of your old players that you worked with.

“It’s nice to catch up and hopefully after the game he won’t be too happy this time, but it will be nice to see him.”

Cobblers boss Chris Wilder feels there is still much more to come from John-Joe O’Toole despite the midfielder’s recent improvement in form.

The midfielder set up Ricky Holmes’ winner against Dagenham & Redbridge on Saturday after opening his goalscoring account in the 2-0 triumph at Exeter seven days earlier.

O’Toole should perhaps also have scored in the Dagenham game, opting to attempt a volleyed backheel instead of a more conventional finish when well placed 10 yards from goal.

“There’s definitely more to come from him,” said Wilder. “We’ll work him harder on the training ground because he’s up there ability wise but we want to see him getting around the pitch more.

“He can add to his goal tally and his assists and we all want that to work. 
“He has to do his part of the deal by working hard but he’s made a good start to the new year.

“Fingers crossed he can continue that. The supporters have taken to him and it isn’t always about what they think, but they don’t often get it wrong.

“They can see when a player is putting the effort in and they recognise that with John-Joe and with the team; that’s why I think we’re not getting unbelievable stick.”

Wilder feels O’Toole may have been ‘jolted’ into better performances and a desire to work harder by his loan spell at Southend, in which he started just a single game - against the Cobblers - before being recalled.

“One of the things we do as coaches and managers is ask ourselves if we picked the right team, if the tactics were right, if our subs were right and if the week was laid out right,” said Wilder, who gave O’Toole a three-year contract in the summer after his 15-goal haul for Bristol Rovers the previous season.

“I’ve always done that, you look at yourself first and foremost and I think that’s what good players do.

“They look at themselves and ask if they’ve done enough, if they’ve played well enough and whether they are getting the maximum out of their performances and their career.

“He (O’Toole) may have looked at it and thought ‘no, I need to do a little bit more’.

“We needed him to do more because of what we saw him doing at the top of his form at Bristol Rovers.

“He wasn’t doing that for us earlier this season and that’s a fact. Maybe something jolted him and he’ll move on from the experience.”

Gardens likely to see spectacular crops of snowdrops in Northamptonshire have been named by the National Garden Scheme.

Early blooms are expected at Boughton House in Geddington, Rosemount in Hollowell, Greywalls in Farndish and in March for crocuses as well at 67-69 High Street in Finedon.

George Plumptre, chief executive of The National Gardens Scheme, said: ‘With not very much to do outside at this time of year, a visit to an NGS garden is the perfect way to get some fresh air and shake off the gloom of winter.

“February always produces wonderful displays of snowdrops and other late-winter delights, and there are many NGS gardens open at this time where they can be discovered.

“So whether you want to admire the plants or just have a walk in lovely surroundings, visiting an NGS garden in the coming weeks will be the perfect escape.’

Visitors to NGS gardens will also have the satisfaction of knowing that their entrance fee is supporting valuable causes, as about 80p in every £1 collected goes straight to the NGS beneficiary charities, which include Macmillan Cancer Support and Carers Trust.

Details of all NGS garden openings can be found at www.ngs.org.uk

-Rosemount (part of Hollowell Gardens group), 18 Church Hill, Hollowell, Northamptonshire, NN6 8RR

February opening features their collection of over 200 different snowdrops, hellebores and unusual spring bulbs. In August the garden is full of colour and interest with unusual shrubs, herbaceous and clematis

Open: Sun 22 Feb (11-3)

-Boughton House, Geddington, Kettering, Northamptonshire, NN14 1BJ

The Northamptonshire home of the Duke and Duchess of Buccleuch. The garden opening incl opportunities to see the historic walled kitchen garden and herbaceous border incl the newly created sensory and wildlife gardens. The wilderness woodland will open for visitors to view the spring flowers or the autumn colours. As a special treat the garden originally created by Sir David Scott (cousin of the Duke of Buccleuch) will also be open

Open: For NGS: Sun 1 Mar, Sun 25 Oct (11-3)

-Greywalls, Farndish, Northamptonshire, NN29 7HJ

Over 100 varieties of snowdrops, drifts of hardy cyclamen and hellebores. Alpine house and raised alpine beds. Water features and natural ponds with views over open countryside. Rare breed hens

Open: Sun 1 Mar (12-4). Visitors also welcome by arrangement, Coaches welcome

-67-69 High Street (part of Finedon Gardens group), Finedon, Northamptonshire, NN9 5JN

Spring garden with snowdrops and hellebores, summer and autumn borders all giving varied interest from Feb through to Oct

Open: Sun 8 Mar (11-3). Evening Openings £3.50, chd free, Visitors also welcome by arrangement Feb to Sept