There was a familiar face back in the Northampton Town line-up at the weekend.
Former Imp Jack Burroughs admitted he was taken aback to be thrust straight into Kevin Nolan’s side after six weeks out with an Achilles problem. The defender, who spent the 2023/2024 campaign with us, started against Mansfield before the international break and then completed almost the full game in the defeat to Cardiff on Saturday.
Speaking after the game, Burroughs revealed that his immediate return came sooner than expected.
“I was a bit surprised that the manager put me straight back in to be honest. But obviously with the injuries to Joe (Wormleighton) and Hosk (Sam Hoskins), it was kind of inevitable that I’d have to go back in.
“I’d prefer that and then have to maybe go off later in the game to get my fitness up straight away rather than easing myself back in so I saw it as a positive.”
Burroughs also reflected on a frustrating start to the season, explaining that the injury arrived just as he felt capable of offering more.
“I am the only one who knows how I feel personally and I knew I could have offered more earlier in the season. I would like to think I did my bit in those few weeks when we picked up a few points. We went on a winning run at the time, so it was not all negative, but it is definitely a nice feeling to be over that now.”
For us, Burroughs remains a name that brings back memories of the 2023/2024 season. He arrived on loan from Coventry City after progressing through their academy and becoming the first player born in the 2000s to represent the Sky Blues. He built his senior grounding during spells at Nuneaton Borough, Gloucester City and Ross County, where he gained top-flight experience in Scotland.
At Sincil Bank, he became a regular under Mark Kennedy, and even after a minor car accident at Christmas, he continued to be a dependable part of the squad. When Michael Skubala arrived, the emphasis shifted towards our own players, which meant Burroughs featured less frequently, but he still made 29 League One appearances and chipped in with his first senior goal during an EFL Trophy win over Notts County.
After leaving Coventry in the summer of 2025, he signed a two-year deal with Northampton and has continued to bring the same versatility and honesty that made him popular during his spell with us. Internationally, he has represented Scotland up to Under-21 level, scoring twice at Under-19 level.
Burroughs is now looking to put his injury troubles behind him, and after two near full outings already, he will hope consistent minutes help restore the sharp, energetic full back we grew accustomed to watching at Sincil Bank.