CHRIS Hackett is Northampton Town's dangerman at Blundell Park this afternoon – according to Mariners boss Paul Hurst.
The winger returns from a one-match suspension for today's FA Cup Second Round tie, boosting the Cobblers who are without cup-tied forward Izale McLeod.
Striker Roy O'Donovan also returns to the fray after completing his recovery from a double hernia operation.
Midfielder Stuart Dallas has not been given permission to play by Brentford, while Aidy Boothroyd is also unable to call upon his three long-term injured players – Kelvin Langmead (knee), Lewis Hornby (back) and Alex Nicholls (broken leg).
Hurst has certainly done his homework on the League Two strugglers since the draw was made, and highlights former Millwall man Hackett as the one to watch.
"Northampton have got a few injuries, but Hackett is back and most managers who look at Northampton would suggest that he's their best player.
"Whether he plays out wide, as he has done for much of his career, or whether he plays inside, we will see – and also what system they play.
"They can't play McLeod, who is cup tied, so there is a decision for them up front.
"They could opt to go with two big men in Clive Platt and Jacob Blyth, or just select one of those and play the way they did at Chesterfield when they looked extremely solid and started to threaten the longer the game went on."
Former Mariners Joe Widdowson and Ricky Ravenhill will return to Blundell Park as part of an experienced Cobblers line-up, who appear to be recovering from a poor start to their league campaign.
Hurst commented: "They've got a very good keeper in Matt Duke and decent pedigree at the back – the two centre-backs, with Kevin Amankwaah and Widdowson who Grimsby fans will know. That backline have been doing a very good job for the team recently.
"Ricky Ravenhill is another one who has been brought in on loan and is vastly experienced.
"So they're not going to be intimidated in the slightest by coming to Blundell Park this afternoon."
He continued: "I strongly believe they will be nowhere near the relegation zone come the end of the season.
"Aidy changed a few things around and was looking at perhaps the style of play, and that takes time.
"He's now brought a few loan players in, the sides getting a little bit more settled, and results are picking up. We could have played them at a much better time, let's put it that way.
"They will be confident, coming here, that they can continue being solid defensively and get the result to get them through."
