Durnin, 34, has signed on a month`s loan, although the deal is unlikely to become permanent.
Howard, 23, was the Cobblers record signing when they paid Hartlepool United £120,000 but he has since failed to settle at the Sixfields
The Cumbrian`s coach Martin Wilkinson bid £75,000 for the target-man which was rejected by Kevin Wilson, but if he ups his bid even slightly then Town are likely to cut their losses and allow him to leave.
