Ishmel Demontagnac is unlikely to play against this season after suffering a hamstring injury in the Cobblers’ 1-0 defeat at Bradford City on Saturday.
The left-winger pulled the muscle while attempting to sprint after 32 minutes of the loss at Valley Parade.
The Bradford match represented a sixth start in succession for Demontagnac, who had been a fringe player until being given a start in the 2-0 win over Accrington.
But it now appears the 24-year-old’s campaign is over, and manager Aidy Boothroyd says the injury will give Jake Robinson, who replaced Demontagnac at Bradford, the opportunity for a run in the first team.
“I think that will be his season over,” confirmed Boothroyd. “We don’t really know at this stage but it will probably be a fairly long one.
“It’s that stage of the season where you get these things. He’s done well for us recently and it will be a blow.
“But it will give Jake Robinson the chance to have a run in the side and show us what he can do.”
Demontagnac’s name is added to an injured list that currently contains centre-forward Alex Nicholls - who was at Valley Parade at the weekend - and club captain Kelvin Langmead, although Clive Platt has been an unused substitute in the past two games as he has been struggling with a calf injury.
The big striker was close to being involved at Bradford but Boothroyd wanted to provide him with extra rest with two games in four days next week set to stretch the squad further.
“He needs a bit of a rest,” he said. “We tried him on Friday and it was probably the right game for him but the last thing I want to do is lose him.
“If he needs a week to get himself right because when he plays well the team plays well and he’s one of our key players.”