PETER JACKSON has made "significant progress" on signing both midfielder Chris Brandon and striker Junior Mendes.

And the Town boss has created extra room within his League I squad by agreeing settlement on misfit striker Jon Newby's contract, which had a year to run.

While Newby looks set to return to Bury after just 15 Town appearances, Mendes is heading into the McAlpine after trying his best to stop Town winning promotion.

The 27-year-old Londoner, whose likely move to Town was reported in the Examiner last Tuesday, was part of the Mansfield side which lost out on penalties to Jackson's battlers in the Third Division play-off final last month.

The former Chelsea junior is one 10 Stags players out of contract at the end of this month, and, like Chesterfield player Brandon, will join Town as long as a medical passes without a hitch.

Jackson hopes the new boys will be able to link up with his existing squad for the start of pre-season training a week today (the first friendly is against Emley at the Welfare Ground seven days later).

By then, Newby could well be back at Bury's Gigg Lane.

One of a crop of players signed up by Jackson on his return to the club last summer, the 25-year-old was unable to find the target during an injury-hit campaign.

"Jon is a confidence player, and while he had a good pre-season, he never got going in the League," said Jackson, who loaned the ex-Liverpool trainee to York late on.

"The injury didn't help, and Jon fell behind Andy Booth, Pawel Abbott and then John McAliskey in the pecking order up front.

"I think this move is the best for both parties and we wish Jon the best of luck."