Aidy Boothroyd will continue to use Chris Hackett as a right-back if Danny East is not passed fit for the trip to Barnet on Friday night.
And the Cobblers boss issued a glowing appraisal of Hackett’s performances as a full-back in the absence of both East and John Johnson with injury.
The former Millwall winger has been excellent in the past two games filling in on the right of the back four, with Town registering victories in both of those matches.
As well as using his pace in defensive situations, Hackett is also given license to attack from deep, something Boothroyd feels the player is perfectly suited to when playing in a traditional back four.
“He’s done very well has Chris,” said the Northampton manager. “I brought him in wanting him to be an out-and-out wide player but I knew he could do a job for us in central midfield and as a full-back.
“The good thing about him is that when teams play a 4-4-2 or a 4-3-3 the players that tend to get on the ball the most team to be the full-backs.
“On the left we’ve got a real footballer in Joe Widdowson and he can improve and get better, and on the right we’ve got Johnno (John Johnson) who likes to join in, or Easty (Danny East).
“When you’ve got a winger there who really wants to go that way it gives you an attacking edge so I’m pleased with that.
“We played him there in pre-season so we always knew he could do a good job for the team at right-back.”
Hull City loanee East has missed the wins over Colchester United and Exeter City with an injured shoulder and could sit out the game at Underhill on Friday night, with the club waiting until the 11th hour to make a decision on his fitness.
“If he falls on it or he’s repeatedly throwing the ball then he’s putting himself at risk so we’ll have to have a look at it on Friday,” he said.
“He really wants to play, that’s one of the good things about him but he’ll probably be touch and go for Barnet.”
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