Ian Sampson has been named new manager of Northampton Town.

Sampson, 40, took over following Stuart Gray's exit last month and the club's long-serving former defender has been backed to lift Northampton up the League Two table.

Cobblers chairman David Cardoza said: "I am delighted to be able to appoint Ian Sampson as our new permanent manager.

"Ian has been in caretaker charge for a month and having reviewed matters over the last few weeks, I felt Ian, ably supported by Malcolm Crosby and Jim Barron, had made sufficient progress with the team to deserve the opportunity to manage Northampton Town.

"He 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 for the job and I believe Ian is that man."

Cardoza added: "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."