Kettering boss Mark Cooper assured of brighter future

Cooper left Kettering to become the Peterborough manager in 2009

Kettering Town caretaker manager Mark Cooper says he returned to the Blue Square Bet Premier club because off-field matters are to improve.

Cooper took charge of the side after Mark Stimson's departure on Wednesday.

He told BBC Radio Northampton: "I wouldn't have come back if I didn't think things were going to change and we wouldn't be able to turn it around.

"[There have been] problems money-wise, and hopefully that's going to change in the next week or two."

The Poppies have been subject to a player registration embargo since 21 November.

"Chairman Imraan Ladak has told me the embargo will hopefully be lifted on Thursday," Cooper continued.

"Then we can look to bring in three or four players to help the guys already here, and that's what is needed.

"They've been very short on numbers, but there's a lot of fight and quality in the team, and we just need to add bodies so that they can compete.

"But they've got to be [the right players], and if we are serious about staying up, we need to bring in some decent players.

"We're in a bit of a situation but with the right backing, we can be sat here in April looking forward to another season in the Conference."

Meanwhile, the former Darlington boss has acknowledged that former manager Mark Stimson was working under extremely challenging circumstances.

"It's been a difficult job for Mark - nigh-on impossible.

"But he's left the players in good shape and I'm sure he'll be back [in football] very soon."