Former Reading defender Nesta Guinness-Walker has joined Northampton Town on a short-term deal after his release from the Royals over the summer.

The 25-year-old played nearly 40 times for the club in three years but spent the final four months of his contract on loan at Stevenage.

Released in May, the former AFC Wimbledon youngster spent time training with the Professional Footballers Association as they set up a team for free agents.

Without a club until the end of September, the full-back is now available for Jon Brady's Cobblers.

Speaking to the club website, Brady said: "Luke Mbete has performed really well for us but the injuries to Patrick Brough and Ali Koiki have left us a little short in that position and with a particularly busy run coming up over the next few months, we felt we needed to add some depth to the squad in that area and we are delighted to be able to bring in a player of Nesta's quality and pedigree.

"While the transfer window may be closed, part of our recruitment work is to be aware of the players available so we are ready to move quickly to react to the circumstances that happen and that is what we have done.

"Nesta has been playing and training with the PFA squad recently so he is ready to go whenever we need him and that's important.

"He can affect games both from a defensive and attacking point of view, he is athletic and he can get up and down the left-hand side. He has done well in League One over the last few seasons, he is a good age with a decent amount of exuberance.

"I would like to thank the Chairman and the Board of Directors for their support in allowing us to bring Nesta in."

Guinness-Walker- great-grandson of actor Sir Alec Guinness- could make his return to Reading on Boxing Day.