TOWN striker John McAliskey today signed a new two-year contract with the club.
The popular 20-year-old - who links up with the Republic of Ireland training squad at Lilleshall on Monday - now has improved terms to 2007.
The news comes just days after talented midfielder Michael Collins put his signature to a similar deal and is a move which will be welcomed by supporters, who have taken the Golcar-based frontman to their hearts since his goalscoring exploits of a year ago.
"Macca had one year left on his contract and so we've added another year to the deal," said manager Peter Jackson today.
"I'm delighted we have agreed new terms with him because John is a very talented player who has a lot to offer over the next few years.
"In fairness, he hasn't pushed on this season like I thought he would after the brilliant way he burst on the scene, so he has got a lot of hard work ahead of him.
"But he has proved when he's played in the first team that he's well capable of scoring goals and causing problems for opposition defences at this standard."
McAliskey (pictured) made only eight starts and 13 substitute appearances as Town just missed out on the play-offs this time.
Last year, he scored on his first-team debut as a substitute against Macclesfield and then netted three times in his first four starts, including a dramatic double to clinch a 3-2 comeback victory for nine-man Town against Scunthorpe at the Galpharm.
McAliskey collected his first Republic of Ireland Under 21 cap this season against Portugal - he qualifies through grandparents - and Jackson is eager for him to play a bigger Town role in the 2005-06 campaign which kicks off on August 6.
"Now, with his new deal sorted, he has the chance to put in some hard graft over the summer and come back firing on all cylinders next season," added Jackson.
"Next week's trip to the Republic training camp will help him - working alongside players from the Championship and Premiership with different coaches - and I do want to see more from Macca next season."
It seems Marcus Stewart could, in fact, be back at the Galpharm next season, although not in the colours of Town.
The 32-year-old striker has confirmed he is in talks with hometown club Bristol City (his boyhood favourites) after being released by Sunderland at the end of their Championship title season.
Stewart, of course, started his career with Bristol Rovers and signed for Town in a £1.2m deal in 1996.
