The Cobblers have Billy McKay, Tadgh Purcell, Courtney Herbert and transfer-listed Steve Guinan as out-and-out first team strikers.
Sampson told BBC Radio Northampton: "Steve did well in pre-season and he looks the best in training. That's why he's playing.
"If he plays well, he's got a future here. But we need another striker."
He added: "We need someone with a bit of physical presence and pace to go over the top and make things awkward for defences.
"The kind of player I'm looking at is Tom Elliott who went to Rotherham and Jake Jervis who went to Notts County."
Source: BBC Sport
Source: BBC Sport