�鶹��

Northampton Town boss Jon Brady says facing leaders Birmingham City is the "ultimate challenge" in League One.

Blues are second in the table, behind Wycombe Wanderers on goal difference only, backed by financial investment from Knighthead Capital which allowed them to spend £10m on striker Jay Stansfield in the summer.

Saturday's meeting is only the fifth between the two clubs, and first since 1990, and follows Northampton's FA Cup exit against non-league neighbours Kettering Town last weekend.

"On paper, they are the strongest League One side put together for a long, long time, probably ever, considering the amount of spending they've done," Brady told �鶹�� Radio Northampton.

"We'll need a lot of go our way, we'll need to be at our best, but we've got full belief that we can try and get something out of the game."

Northampton are likely to make several changes to the side which began the midweek EFL Trophy game against Leicester City's Under-21s, which they won 3-0, and the coaching staff are focused on trying to get the tactical approach right at St Andrews'

"Teams like Bolton have gone away (to Birmingham), they are a possession based side and only had 27% possession, but if you go man for man, how uncomfortable can you make them? They are things we have to consider," said Brady, whose NFL legend namesake Tom is part of the Blues ownership group.

Northampton striker Tom Eaves, meanwhile, may need facial surgery after being injured in last month's game against Lincoln City.

The 32-year-old was sent on as a substitute at the start of the second half but suffered a blow to the face.

He needed several minutes of treatment before being able to leave the pitch at Sixfields, in a game Northampton lost 2-1.

"We are waiting for some more information from the specialist but if he does need an operation that will be our seventh operation this season," said boss Jon Brady.

Eaves has scored once in six appearances for the Cobblers since joining them from Rotherham United in the summer on an initial two-year deal.

Northampton do now have cover, though, having recently signed free-agent former Derby County forward Martyn Waghorn on a short-term deal.