Adebayo Akinfenwa's work ethic praised by Northampton boss

Northampton manager Aidy Boothroyd has praised the work ethic of leading scorer Adebayo Akinfenwa.

The 30-year-old was named November's League Two player of the month after scoring seven goals in five games.

"I inherited a player who was overweight and we had some pretty honest and forthright conversations," Boothroyd told BBC Radio Northampton.

"Bayo took everything on board and credit to him he's lost two stone and he's playing really well."

Boothroyd added: "He can run around now, he can still do all the things that he did before but he's added to that.

"As a person everybody loves him and as a footballer I'm sure you love playing with him and hate playing against him."

Akinfenwa returned to the Cobblers for a second spell in May 2011 and since then has contributed 32 goals in 68 appearances.

However, Boothroyd said he would be looking to Akinfenwa, who is out of contract at the end of the season, to maintain his form over the busy festive programme

"He is a genuinely good guy. The problem he's got now, and I've got now, is whether because he's got his goals and his award, he thinks he can relax and chill out now for Christmas.

"Well, obviously that isn't going to happen and he knows that too," the Cobblers boss added.