Former Hartlepool United star Evan Horwood is backing Northampton

BBut the Hartlepool-born Northampton left-back is backing the visitors to pick up their 11th straight win.

Craig Hignett’s Pools side host the Cobblers at Victoria Park on Saturday, as they look to bounce back quickly from back-to-back defeats.

And while Horwood, currently on loan at Grimsby Town, believes his parent club will face a difficult afternoon in the North East, he thinks they will come away with all three points.

Title-chasing Cobblers are 12 points clear at the top of League Two after their 2-1 win over York City last night – a club record 10th successive league victory.

“Northampton have done so well and to win nine games on the bounce is an incredible run of results,” Horwood told SportMail.

“When you get on a good run in this league then the momentum can carry you through and I think they are going to go on and win the league this season, I certainly hope so.

“They are in a great position now.

“They will face a difficult game against Pools though.

“Hartlepool have obviously found it hard going this season but they have a new manager and that will give them a lift.

“I enjoyed my time at Hartlepool, always got a good reception, and I still look out for the results, of course.

“Hopefully they will be able to stay away from relegation danger and build next year.

“But at the end of the day I am a Northampton Town player, it is my job, and I want to see them do well and win the league so hopefully they will get the three points on Saturday.”

Horwood joined Grimsby Town until the end of the season having failed to break into the Northampton first team this campaign.

With his contract up in the summer, Horwood is looking to impress on loan at the National League side, where he has been reunited with ex-Pools forward Andy Monkhouse.

“With the quality of players at Northampton I was always going to struggle to get into the side, I wasn’t involved as much and that is why I have joined Grimsby.

“I am enjoying it here though, reunited with Andy Monkhouse!

“I am out of contract in the summer so it was important for me to get out on loan, get some game time and put myself in the shop window.”

Grimsby are currently third in the Vanarama National League, 19 points off leaders Cheltenham.

Horwood has made 26 appearances for Northampton since joining permanently in 2014. The 29-year-old made 138 appearances for Pools during a three-year spell between 2010-13.