Akinfenwa was at Millwall, Swansea and Torquay before Northampton

Northampton Town chairman David Cardoza has revealed that leading striker Bayo Akinfenwa has been offered an improved contract to stay at Sixfields.

The 27 year-old, out of contract in June, has missed the last three games for the club, all of which the Cobblers have lost and failed to score in.

"We've made him a very good offer, an improved offer from where we started," Cardoza told BBC Radio Northampton.

"We know how important he is for the football club and the fans."

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"We are doing everything we can," added Cardoza.

"The offer's out there, it's not been turned down, we'll see how we go but I don't think we would go any higher."

Manager Ian Sampson added that Akinfenwa had been ill but should be able to play in the must-win match against Shrewsbury.

"We'll be going out with a really positive attitude. We haven't scored for four games and he's our leading goal scorer so if he's fit, he'll play," Sampson said.

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"His record probably says that he would have scored one or two of the chances that have come along."

The Cobblers currently lie in 11th spot in League Two, but are just three points off a play-off place.

"At one stage I thought automatic promotion was definitely on," Cardoza continued.

"We're prepared for life in League Two. If we go up it will be much better, if we don't it will be tougher for us."

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