Cox able to 'make up for lost time' - Caldwell

Sonny Cox made his league debut in August 2022

Exeter City boss Gary Caldwell hopes striker Sonny Cox can "make up for lost time" after scoring his first goal of the season.

The 20-year-old academy graduate scored the equaliser in the 1-1 draw with Northampton Town on Saturday.

It was Cox's first goal in almost a year and his first appearance in three months after injuries and a dip in form.

"He came in a little bit earlier in the season last year and provided big goals for us," Caldwell told BBC Radio Devon.

"He'll be the first to admit he's had a stop-start season with injuries and he's frustrated at not making the impact that he wants to make in the team.

"But he looked like a really hungry player on Saturday who wants to make up for that lost time."

Cox last found the net on 9 March last year when he scored twice in a 2-2 draw with Bolton Wanderers.

He started 20 League One matches last season and played 12 more times off the bench, scoring five goals.

But this season he has found his chances more limited, making just two starts and playing 11 times as a substitute as Josh Magennis and Millenic Alli - before his move to Luton Town - received the lion's share of the chances to play up front.

"I'm delighted when anyone scores a goal, but obviously when it's a young academy centre forward then it's an even better feeling for everyone in the stadium," added Caldwell.

"I'm delighted for Sonny because he works extremely hard and he's frustrated with how his season's gone.

"But I keep saying there's still a large part of the season to go and you can still have a huge impact on the team and on results and he did that on Saturday.

"Hopefully similar to last year that form can continue until the end of the season."