No interest yet in transfer-listed Cobblers pair Hackett and O’Toole

There have been no enquiries about transfer-listed Cobblers pair John-Joe O’Toole and Chris Hackett

Manager Chris Wilder has revealed the Cobblers haven’t yet received any enquiries about transfer-listed pair John-Joe O’Toole and Chris Hackett.

The duo were told they were surplus to requirements three weeks ago, with their names circulated to all clubs, but as yet there has been no interest.

If they don’t go then they will be back with us, but they both know they are not going to play regularly, so to get their careers up and running they need to sort themselves out, and their agents do too

Cobblers boss Chris Wilder

Wilder is still hopeful that the pair will find themselves new homes ahead of next season, although he accepts both are within their rights to return for pre-season at Sixfields on June 22.

Hackett has one year left under contract, while O’Toole has two years, and Wilder said: “There hasn’t been any interest in either of them, there have been no calls.

“It has been quiet, and I think their agents will be working to get them out because both boys know the situation here.

“If they don’t go then they will be back with us, but they both know they are not going to play regularly, so to get their careers up and running they need to sort themselves out, and their agents do too.

“We also know we have an obligation to the players if they don’t go.”

Wilder was particularly disappointed last season with the contribution of O’Toole who, along with Marc Richards, was a high profile signing in the summer of 2014.

His poor form was what led to his transfer-listing, although Wilder knows it’s not beyond the realms of possibility that the player could return to the Cobblers and prove him wrong.

“You never know,” admitted Wilder. “John-Joe wouldn’t be the first person to be transfer-listed, doesn’t go and then comes back into a club and gets his head down.

“But we have made it perfectly clear his future is away from the club, and I expect that to be the case.”