DERBY COUNTY boss Nigel Clough admits he would like to select Michael Hoganson against the Cobblers on Tuesday night.
Hoganson played 77 minutes at Burton Albion on Saturday, opting to play for the Rams instead of Northampton, who were in action against Chelsea Under 21s.
The winger has been offered a one-year deal by Town boss Aidy Boothroyd, who has warned the player the deal won’t stay on the table for much longer.
And Boothroyd could now be faced with the prospect of selecting a side to combat Hoganson on Tuesday night after Clough declared his intentions to take another look at the 18-year-old.
“We tried to get him in a couple of weeks back and he went somewhere else,” said Clough.
“We would like to have another look at him. He has been offered a deal by a club, so whether he can spare another week or not, we’ll see.”
Hoganson could be joined in the Derby line-up by former Cobblers winger Michael Jacobs, who scored the only goal of the game in the 1-0 win against Burton.
Clough has challenged Jacobs to prove he can make it in the Championship this season and the pre-season signs are good.
“I thought Michael was very good, again,” said the Rams manager. “Defenders do not know which way he is going to go, right or left.
“Once he got in that position, we fancied him to score.
“We need goals from midfield and, hopefully, he can get us some but, once again, I thought his all-round play was good.
“That is the trick when you step up a division or two. Can you maintain what you have done at your previous club but in a higher league? At the moment, it looks as though he can.”