Kennedy and Richens to miss out for Poppies but others set to return

Connor Kennedy, pictured during the 2-1 win at Spennymoor Town last weekend, will miss Kettering Town's next two games due to suspension. Picture by Peter Short

The combative midfielder, who has impressed for the Poppies since joining them from Corby Town last summer, picked up his 10th yellow card of the season in last weekend’s dramatic 2-1 success at Spennymoor Town.

It means Kennedy will sit out this Saturday’s Vanarama National League North home clash with Hereford as well as the trip to York City on January 25.

Michael Richens is also ruled out of the match with Hereford as he serves the second of a two-match ban.

But it’s not all bad news for Kettering as boss Paul Cox confirmed Ben Milnes and Dan Nti should be available again for the weekend while Joe Skarz returned to the squad for the first time since a hernia operation last Saturday.

Lindon Meikle is also close to a return after a knee injury and, with young loanees Jay Williams and Jason Law, who grabbed the stoppage-time winner at Spennymoor, both impressing, Cox believes there is now plenty of competition for places.

And he now feels he is in a position to make “game-changing decisions” during the matches.

“We are losing Connor for two games and Michael Richens has one more to go and we have to take it on the chin because both of them have done well for us,” the Poppies boss said.

“Jay Williams did very well on Saturday at a tough place to go.

“That game did him the world of good because it got him up to speed with a different kind of tempo to Under-23s football and probably to League Two football.

“Jason Law came on and scored a great goal, we have Ben Milnes and Dan Nti back and Aaron O’Connor got through 90 minutes last weekend so we are getting a few people back.

“It’s competition for places and that’s what I am looking for.

“We spoke all over the Christmas period about wanting to have the ability to make game-changing decisions and positive changes from the bench.

“I’d like to think that we are now in a position to be able to do that so it’s all positive.

“Even Lindon could be in the frame for Saturday and that would be huge for us.

“He has been fabulous since I have been here, he gives us a lot of energy in the middle of the pitch and it would be great if we could have him back as well.”