Real Reason Arsenal Loanee Olayinka Is Unavailable For Selection Vs Derby County In FA Cup

The Arsenal-owned midfielder who joined The Cobblers on 27th of last month starred on his first senior league game, helping his team to a 3-0 win over Scunthorpe United, but will play no part in this one.

FA Cup rules state that all players must have been eligible to play in the original tie in order to feature in a replay, thus meaning that the Nigerian is ineligible to play here as he only joined the club three days after the reverse fixture which ended 0-0.

However, he will be back in contention to make his bow in the competition in the next round, provided Northampton negotiate their way past Derby this evening.

The teenager was said to have picked up a knock in the victory over United which led manager Keith Curle to keep him out of the side that played Macclesfield last weekend.

Olayinka could return to action for Northampton when they face Port Vale in a league clash at the Academy Stadium this coming Saturday.