Lack of right winger worries Gray

Gray has handed defender John Curtis a one-year deal

Northampton Town manager Stuart Gray says he wants to bring in a right winger for the start of the season.

Gray told BBC Radio Northampton: "Right midfield is an area where we need to look to get a bit of balance.

"A winger gives you width, someone who carries the ball 30 yards to cause problems [for the opposition]."

The Cobblers lost 2-0 to Championship side Sheffield Wednesday on Tuesday, with Liam Davis going off after suffering a foot injury.

The 22-year-old former Coventry City player, who can play on either wing or in central midfield will undergo an X-ray on his injury.

It was a disappointing end for Davis, who had looked lively in a first half otherwise dominated by Sheffield Wednesday.

The Owls took an early lead through Jermaine Johnson, and Francis Jeffers produced a composed finish to put the game beyond the Cobblers.

Former Everton and Arsenal striker Jeffers later missed a penalty, saved by Chris Dunn.

"We probably gave them too much respect for the first goal," added Gray. "It was disappointing not to close it down.

"But then we got it amongst them, and we missed a few chances through Adebayo Akinfenwa, Billy McKay and Abdul Osman.

"Our combination play down the left, particularly in the first half, was decent but it's the end product that's the most important. We haven't worked the goalkeeper enough".

In the absence of a right winger, Gray gave Luke Guttridge and Billy McKay the chance to impress.

"McKay can play in several positions," said Gray. "And Guttridge is a good pro, he'll play anywhere and do a job".

606: DEBATE

There were positives from the game but there were also negatives and lessons that need to be learned. Will Gray identify these and address them?

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John Curtis was given a run-out in the second half, following the pre-match news that he had signed a one-year deal with the club.

Chris McCready played the full 90 minutes in defence but fellow trialist Seb Harris was out injured.

"McCready handled himself well against Championship sides that will score goals at that level," said Gray. "I'm hopeful of Harris playing on Thursday [against Long Buckby in the Maunsell Cup final]".

Gray remains optimistic about his side's chances going into the two remaining pre-season friendlies, and the start of the League Two campaign.

"We'll definitely win a lot of games at home. But away from home, we'll have to dig in and scrap," he said.

"I'll keep to my principles of getting the ball down and playing. But sometimes, away from home, you'll only make one or two chances, and you have to make them count".