David Artell believes that only serious injury prevented Alex Nicholls from realising his true potential and playing higher up the football pyramid. Artell was a former teammate of the striker at Northampton Town and says the forward was interesting Championship clubs before he suffered a severe leg break against Port Vale. 

Artell was delighted to sign the 30-year-old striker last week following the mutual cancellation of his contract at Barnet FC.

David told us: “Alex had the ability to play a lot higher. He suffered a horrendous injury just when clubs were beginning to take a look at him.

“There is no doubt in mind that he could have played in the Championship but for injury. He was going great guns at Northampton when I was there. He was going places and when you are scoring one in two games and playing consistently well like he was, it wasn’t surprising to any of us that he was being watched by clubs.

“He was a good kid and he showed great mental strength and drive to come back from that injury. It was a nasty one.

“He is 30 now and comes to us at a good age. He will help the younger ones and he will get goals for us because he is a good finisher.”