Louis Moult has played down his role as the Cobblers’ goalscoring replacement for long-term injury victim Alex Nicholls despite a second goal in as many games.
Moult was on the mark in Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Bradford City in the FA Cup first round, adding to the goal he got against Port Vale after replacing Nicholls – who had broken his leg – as a substitute.
The 20-year-old striker should now get a run in the side alongside Adebayo Akinfenwa up front and, if he keeps scoring, it will mean the club do not have to finance the signing of a replacement for Nicholls.
But Moult, who is Northampton’s nearest like-for-like replacement for their leading goalscorer, insists he has a long way to go before he can start being compared to the former Walsall man, who scored eight goals in 14 games before the injury that has ended his season.
“I wouldn’t say I’m filling his boots because he’s done absolutely fantastic for us,” said Moult.
“He’s scored a lot of goals and we’ll wait and see how he is, but I’ll keep playing and keep trying to score as many as I can.
“All of the lads have been to see him. I went on Friday and he was very upbeat – we’re just hoping he has a speedy recovery now.
“His character is amazing. I’ve never seen him not smiling, that’s just the character he is and he’ll come back stronger.”
Moult is confident he is growing an understanding with Akinfenwa, who is the club’s leading fit goalscorer, and the duo will plenty of opportunities to fine-tune their partership with three games in the space of a week.
“Me and B (Akinfenwa) understand each other,” said Moult. “When I’ve got the ball, he always expected it off me, around the corner, and vice versa.
“I think we help each other out really well.”
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