Former Portsmouth, Sheffield United, Charlton, Oxford United and Barnet winger Ricky Holmes makes retirement U-turn to sign for Northampton

Back in May, the 33-year-old Sheffield United winger told The News it was time to leave Bramall Lane and hang up his boots after 16 months out with a back injury.

However, after training with the Cobblers over the past couple of weeks under the watchful eye of fitness coach Pablo Garcia, a decision was made to offer the free agent an appearance-related contracted at Sixfields.

Now Holmes, whose last game was for loan club Oxford United against Spurs under-21s in December 2018, could line up for Keith Curle’s side as they play host to MK Dons in League One tonight.

SEE ALSO: Holmes: Being separated from my Pompey pal Jed Wallace was the best thing for our careers

That will represent a massive turn of events, with the former builder having gone nearly two years without kicking a ball in a competitive match.

In total, Holmes made 62 appearances for Pompey, scoring twice, following his free transfer move from Barnet in 2013.

His first season at Fratton Park saw him crowned the News/Sports Mail Pompey player of the season.

But he departed for Northampton on a free transfer in January 2015 following a bitter falling out with then manager Andy Awford – a clash which condemned the popular member of the first-team set-up to the bomb squad.

The circumstances surrounding his exit still irks Holmes, but following his departure he won the League Two title with the Cobblers under Chris Wilder.

Meanwhile, his impressive exploits there and at Charlton later saw him reunited with Wilder at Sheffield United.

The back problem sustained while working on a building site in Horsham during his non-league days, however, began to plague him.

And following his January 2018 move to the Blades, Holmes made only five appearances.

Now Holmes has an unexpected chance to resume a career which totals 319 outings for eight different clubs and 59 goals.

We wish him all the best.

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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