Akinfenwa joined Northampton from Millwall in January 2008

Northampton Town manager Ian Sampson says striker Adebayo Akinfenwa must not be allowed to leave the club in the January transfer window.

Akinfenwa, the Cobblers' top scorer with nine goals, was linked with Swansea in the last transfer window.

"He scores one in two in terms of goals to games ratio and he will not be one that we are looking to get rid of," Sampson told BBC Radio Northampton.

"I think the predicament we're in, the chairman will be of the same opinion."

Sampson added: "He's probably the most high profile player that we have got."

Akinfenwa, 27, is out of contract at the end of the season and could leave on a fee transfer.

"My opinion is that he needs to stay here until the end of the season and then whatever happens happens," added Sampson.

"When I first took the job he said he was 100% committed to Northampton Town which was great to hear and I think he's proved that in his performances."

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