'I didn't think I'd see Bruce in League One' - Nolan

During his playing career, Kevin Nolan was at Newcastle at the same time as Steve Bruce was Sunderland boss

Northampton Town boss Kevin Nolan says he finds it hard to believe Steve Bruce is managing at the same level as him, ahead of their game against Blackpool on Saturday.

The Seasiders are the 12th different club that Bruce has taken charge of in his career, much of it spent in the top two tiers of English football.

They are 11th in the table, 10 points adrift of the play-off places, while Northampton - who are unbeaten in their last four games - are 19th.

"He's a top manager, I can't believe he's in League One. Someone of his calibre and experience, I didn't ever think I'd see him (at this level)," Nolan told BBC Radio Northampton.

"It just shows the love he's got for the game. He's a great guy and I'm looking forward to catching up.

"They're a very good side and it's going to be another tough one. They're a typical Steve team, tough to beat, and I expect them to have a strong finish (to the season) but they're coming to Sixfields and I expect us to impose our formation and everything else onto them."

Northampton are six points clear of the relegation places following last weekend's 1-1 draw away to runaway leaders Birmingham City.

And Nolan now has a full squad available for the run-in with forward Tom Eaves and full-back Nesta Guinness-Walker back in training.

They have only won five of their 16 games since Nolan was appointed in December but he is happy that they have fully bought in to his approach.

"Where we've been, they were rushing or making the wrong decisions, but I can see now that it's starting to come together a lot more - they are buying in to what we're trying to do now," he added.

"There are lads disappointed that they weren't getting into the 11, but now we're in a situation where they're disappointed not to be in the (matchday) 18.

"They have to show me on the training pitch and being right, day in and day out, and when we're doing our analytics meetings and gym work - that's just as important because it all brings it together.

"That's why we've been able to get the results and performances we have over the last few weeks."