Sampson made over 400 appearances as a player for Northampton

Northampton chairman David Cardoza has said that manager Ian Sampson will be given a new contract if he guides the Cobblers to the League Two play-offs.

Sampson was placed in charge at Sixfields until the end of the season on Monday after a period as caretaker.

"If he gets us promoted or to the play-offs he's guaranteed another season, otherwise it will be up to me to decide," Cardoza told BBC Northampton.

"People need a bit of pressure, that's what he [Sampson] wants."

Northampton currently lie 19th in League Two with 11 points from 11 games - nine points off the play-off places.

Former club captain Sampson had been in charge since the departure of Stuart Gray in September.

He began with three successive defeats, but Northampton have picked up four points from their last two games.

606: DEBATE Anything between play-offs and mid-table would be a success for me mays

When asked why Sampson had been given the job on a permanent basis, Cardoza replied: "His desire and his belief and just getting everybody galvanised within the club to really go forward.

"It's something we have been lacking. It's been a horrible nine months.

"We've been relegated and the players haven't had any belief, you know he's starting to turn that around."

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