PETER JACKSON insists he won't rush into signing someone to fill Jon Stead's boots.

News of Stead's departure has taken the edge off Jackson's deserved selection as the Division III manager of the month for a 100% record in January.

He was quickly following up a couple of leads on potential strike signings today while confirming he is working to a very tight budget - possibly aiming for a loan arrival to start with.

"We always said that if a Premiership club came in with a big offer we would have to seriously look at it and, while it's disappointing to lose Steady, the deal proved too good for this club to turn down," said Jackson.

"The lad himself wanted to further his ambitions as well and we do wish Jonathan well, because he has done marvellously for me and for this club.

"He has been the victim of his own success in the sense that he has proved he's the best striker outside the Premiership and that means we haven't been able to hang on to him.

"There is a little leeway to look for someone to come in, but I won't be rushing things.

"We can maybe look to a loan signing and then towards something more permanent, but it's an important signing for me and for the club and I'm not going to rush into it."

Jackson is hoping Andy Booth (groin) will be fit for selection when Darlington visit the McAlpine on Saturday, having been denied the chance to field Stead for one last time in the postponed game at Bristol Rovers on Saturday.

"We will assess just how things stand later in the week," added Jackson. "I have a couple of inquiries in mind for people but we've also got Nat Brown playing well, Jon Newby on the comeback trail and Danny Schofield who can play up front."

Jackson - who could add a wage to the club's costs but possibly not a transfer fee as well - is in no mood to throw in the towel as far as promotion is concerned.

"I'm disappointed about Steady going and I know the fans will be as well, but we've got a terrific young side here and a lot of things going for us," he said.

"Jon Stead will be missed and his departure is a blow, but one man has never made a team, we will pick ourselves up and it's important the players and the fans stay positive about the season ahead.

"It will still be Huddersfield Town running out there to do battle against Darlington on Saturday and we will be doing all we can to chalk a seventh straight win."

Jackson's Nationwide award will not be officially announced until later in the week, but Town won every game in January to lift themselves to fifth in the table.