Town will be without striker Connor Wickham later this month and during early April when the 16-year-old goes away with the England U17s for their European Championships elite qualifying group games.
The England youngsters play Sweden at Northampton’s Sixfields on Saturday March 27th, Malta at Burton Albion’s Pirelli Stadium on the following Monday and Slovakia, again at Northampton, three days later.
Manager Roy Keane says Wickham has been doing well when coming on as a sub in recent weeks: "Connor seems to be having more of an impact coming off the bench at the moment. He’s away in a couple of weeks with the U17s and we’ll miss him for three or four games.
"Connor’s training really well and when he’s coming on you’re thinking that he’s going to affect the game. And that’s what we want players to do, not just to play a part. Even the other day he came on and caused problems.
"But Connor could do with his first goal. He had a good opportunity against Bristol City, the defender’s made a good block and it’s been bobbling on the line.
"That’s the way it’s going for Connor at the moment but we know once he gets his first league goal he’ll be up and running.”
Wickham scored twice in the Carling Cup tie at Shrewsbury early in the season and also converted during that game's penalty shoot-out but hasn't hit the net for the first team since.
Keane says he won’t look to add any strikers to his squad as cover for Wickham’s absence unless another one of his strikers picks up an injury. The Blues boss says there have been no developments on players coming in or going out since Friday.
Wickham is likely to play some part against Cardiff City on Tuesday night with Keane confirming that his side picked up no new injuries at Blackpool on Saturday, although they will be without the suspended Grant Leadbitter.
The Colchester-based youngster, who has previously won seven U17 caps, scoring four goals, is due to sign a professional deal with the club after he has turned 17 on March 31st.