Darnell Furlong battles with Orient's Frazer Shaw during Saturday's clash. Picture by Kirsty Edmonds

The highly-rated right-back joined the club to gain first-team experience, with the Cobblers short on defensive options due to an ever-growing injury list.

And Furlong has impressed many onlookers at Sixfields with three excellent performances that demonstrate why the teenager is rated so highly.

While he considers himself as an attacking full-back, the 19-year-old has helped shore up a Northampton defence that had been leaking goals prior to his arrival.

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Asked if he’d be interested in prolonging his stay at the Cobblers, Furlong replied: “Yes, definitely.

“It’s not fully my decision and I have to listen to what Northampton and QPR say, but it’d be great to stay for a bit longer.

“It feels very real being out here. Sometimes playing for the U21s can feel a bit put on and it’s not about the result, instead it’s about learning and developing, but here it’s just about the three points, winning and climbing the table and that’s what I’m learning.

“I like to get forward when I can but I realise that now I’m in a proper league and playing for three points, I can’t just go bombing on all the time like I usually would in a youth team game so I’ve got to be a bit more sensible and disciplined but that’s why I’m here – to learn things like that.

“I’m pleased with my contribution so far but I’ve got to keep doing what I’m doing and keep working hard.”

Speaking after Saturday’s draw with Orient, Furlong was devastated by the manner in which Northampton let victory slip through their fingers.

Having survived a second half onslaught from the league leaders, Town appeared to have snatched victory through Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header three minutes into stoppage time, only for Dean Cox to have the final word with a stunning free-kick in the 97th minute.

Furlong added: “It was gutting. We scored so late and thought we had managed to get all three points but then we were so unlucky with the free-kick.

“It was a great strike and whether or not it’s a free-kick in the first place, there’s not much we could have done about it.

“I wasn’t in the best position to see the foul but it’s just very hard to accept having scored so late.

“We’ve now got to keep going and keep doing the same things. It seems to be working for us of late so we’ve got to go to Wimbledon and try to get the three points there.”

Furlong was also full of praise for his team-mates for their role in helping the youngster settle in at Sixfields.

“There’s a great bunch of players here,” he continued. “I wish people could come to the training ground and see how the players are around each other.

“They’re always organising little things to get together and that’s something I’ve noticed since I got here.