Sampson, 40, is a former club captain

Northampton Town have named caretaker manager Ian Sampson their boss until the end of the season.

Chairman David Cardoza said: "Ian has shown tremendous loyalty to the club over the last few years, but that is not the reason he has got the job.

"You don't get a manager's job on loyalty alone, you get it because overall you are the best man."

Former club captain Sampson had been in caretaker charge since the departure of Stuart Gray a month ago.

"Our performances have been improving steadily, and you can see the players are playing for Ian," Cardoza added.

"The players showed terrific character to fight and come back to claim a draw on Saturday, showing just the sort of character that was missing earlier in the season.

"That is the character and passion that Ian is injecting back into our play. The squad Ian has inherited has its weaknesses, and Ian deserves the opportunity, the support and the chance to address them - which he will get in January."

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