Tozer ready for Cobblers' Anfield trip

Newcastle defender Ben Tozer is poised for a baptism of fire following his loan switch to Northampton, who take on Liverpool at Anfield tonight in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Tozer, 20, is expected to start for the Cobblers after completing a month-long loan move from St James' Park.

Northampton manager Ian Sampson, whose basement side clinched a dream tie at Anfield with a 4-2 penalty shootout win at npower Championship side Reading after sharing six goals over 120 minutes, has been given a timely lift by the arrival of Tozer, who is highly rated at Newcastle.

Sampson said: "He's a player with an excellent pedigree and someone who will do us a good turn over the next few weeks.

"He was really keen to come and already his attitude to get stuck in and do well for this club has impressed me. I tried to bring him in last season, but it didn't quite work out."

Meanwhile Scunthorpe hope to name caretaker-boss Ian Baraclough as Nigel Adkins' permanent successor following their glamour third-round clash with holders Manchester United at Glanford Park tonight.