Next Up: Exeter City vs Northampton Town
Speculation has reached fever pitch that, after Wigan dispensed with the services of Ryan Lowe following their 6-1 humiliation at Peterborough, that they were looking to bring Gary Caldwell back to the club for a second spell as manager. Given that, there is an air of uncertainty surrounding the dugout at City ahead of the visit of a side in relegation danger. Whoever is in control of the team on Saturday they are likely to have to do without Jack Fitzwater, who limped out of last week’s 0-0 draw at Mansfield with a knee injury and is set for a spell on the sidelines. Ed Turns is a ready-made replacement, but beyond him, and given current injuries and the fragility of Johnly Yfeko, the defensive options appear to be threadbare unless the likes of Danny Andrew are set to return. There may not be such concern within the coaching ranks, however, as Ed James joined Torquay on loan while Ed Francis, who deputised at the back frequently last season, was sold to Rochdale. Elsewhere any rotation will as usual be amongst the attackers, with the likes of Cole, Tutierov, Aitchison and Cox vying to support Jayden Wareham. Carlos Mendes Gomes again missed the Mansfield match but will hopefully be back in action soon.
Saturday’s visitors will arrive in buoyant mood on the back of two straight wins, latterly on Tuesday night as Northampton edged closer to a Wembley visit in the EFL Trophy with a win at AFC Wimbledon following a win over out of form Stevenage in the league last week. That win for Kevin Nolan’s Cobblers pulled them out of the relegation zone, and they will look to exploit any nerves around City’s managerial situation and the last home game against a side in a similar position. Goals had been an issue with just one scored in their first five matches in 2026 until the last two league fixtures where five have been scored, with veteran giant striker Tom Eaves finding his scoring boots to emerge as top scorer with six in the league (eight total). Sam Hoskins and Cameron McGeehan also have plenty of pedigree at this level.
City’s recent record against Northampton has been quite poor, especially at home, with no wins at SJP in this fixture since a 3-2 thriller in December 2019. The reverse fixture saw Northampton effectively kill off the match by the 16th minute through Wheatley and Dyche. Sonny Cox rescued a late point last season after Northampton led just before half time through Costelloe. This fixture is one of the most-played in City’s history and Northampton have a clear league head to head lead with 52 wins to City’s 30, 32 matches finishing level.
The match officials for this game will be:-
Referee: Oliver Mackey
Assistant Referees: Jack Clench and Declan O’Shea
Fourth Official: Ross Martin
This is Leicestershire’s Oliver Mackey’s second season in the EFL, and this will be his first time in charge of Exeter City. His record this season is that he’s taken charge of 18 games, booking 75 players and sending two off.
Interview with Gary Caldwell
Interview with Timur Tutierov