SKILFUL striker Danny Schofield is the latest player handed a contract extension by Town.
Just 24 hours after goalkeeper Phil Senior signed for the next two years, the 23-year-old utility forward has followed suit.
Schofield, who was originally signed during Peter Jackson's first spell as manager, becomes the seventh member of the current first-team squad to be offered a new deal this season.
"Danny missed almost all of our pre-season training through injury and spent a great deal of the early months trying to catch up in terms of fitness," explained Jackson today.
"He has worked very hard along the way and, now that he is back to proper fitness, he is showing what a talented player he is.
"I remember Danny coming to the club from Brodsworth as a teenager who Jeff Lee had seen and immediately being impressed by his attitude and his quick feet. He has a tremendous amount of skill and he is capable of scoring his share of goals, so there is no doubt that Danny can be a big asset to this club and help us move forward over the next couple of years."
Town paid £2,000 and a set of goal nets for Schofield in February 1999 and he is now just four short of 100 League appearances for the club.
Two seasons ago, he netted 12 goals as Town went to the Second Division play-offs, while last season was wrecked by injury and he scored just twice in 28 starts and six substitute appearances.
This time, he has been involved in all bar four matches and Jackson added: "Danny should probably score more goals than he does, but you have to remember he creates a lot for his colleagues as well.
"He's got two great feet and, because he can play in so many different positions, I think he's going to be a vital player for us over the next couple of seasons.
"He has the potential to be an excellent player and I think we can get the best out of him, which is why I'm delighted to have sorted out these new terms."
Schofield signed last night and joins Jon Worthington, Nathan Clarke, Anthony Lloyd, Andy Holdsworth and David Mirfin on extended terms with Senior.
"When I first came back to the club we couldn't look any further than the next day, let alone the next couple of years, so it is nice to be putting some building blocks in place," added Jackson, who watched the Reserves beat Bradford City 2-1 last night with a superb Jon Newby double.
"We have had to wait until some money has come through the gates and we've established ourselves, but now we've settled things down we can think about the future and about tying our good younger players to the club.
"It is very positive news that these lads have all signed for us on extended terms and we hope it will bear fruit for the club.
"They all have experience in the League already and can only get better as time goes on."
So where is Schofield likely to play as Town - who moved down to seventh on goal difference thanks to Lincoln gaining a point at home to Cheltenham last night - challenge for one of the promotion slots this season?
"If you ask Danny, he will always say that he likes to play up front alongside a big striker," said Jackson. "He can play on either wing, but I reckon he is best when playing behind a front two. He is difficult to pick up in that position, just ask Doncaster, and he causes our opposition lots of problems."
So, too, might Newby, and Jackson commented: "I was delighted for Jon to get those goals. It will do him a power of good and he'll be like a new player for us."
With Town due to step up their preparations for the visit of Boston to the McAlpine, defender Paul Scott underwent an exploratory ankle operation today.
Hurt at Darlington on Boxing Day, Scott is hoping this minor surgery will negate the need for a bigger operation and Town believe he could be back in training in the next two to three weeks, providing no serious problems are found.
Striker Andy Booth was having further treatment today in the hope he can join in full training tomorrow, while Jackson has given up hope of skipper Rob Edwards being fit to face Boston.
