STAN TERNENT was today completing the paperwork on a loan deal for Burnley’s Northern Ireland striker Steve Jones.
And the 31-year-old will come straight into contention to face Bristol Rovers at the Galpharm tomorrow.
Town’s manager, who still hopes to extend the stay of Derby County frontman Liam Dickinson into a third month, has moved quickly to boost his squad after fans’ favourite Andy Booth was ruled out until the New Year with a back problem which needs surgery.
Londonderry-born Jones, who has 27 caps, struggled with injury last season, when he spent the final stages on loan at former club Crewe, and has been unable to break into the first team at Burnley this time around.
But Ternent, whose side are 15th in League I and chasing first back-to-back wins of the season, believes he can rekindle the form which brought goals at Leigh RMI between 1999 and 2001, and Crewe (2001-06).
“I’m delighted to be bringing Steve in,” said the former Burnley boss.
“He’s still quick, he’s got a great goalscoring record and he can play in all the frontline positions, making him a useful man to have around the place.
“Steve brings both quality and versatility to the squad before a busy spell (Town play five games in 15 days) and he’ll come straight into my thinking for tomorrow’s match.”
On Blackpool’s books as a youngster, Jones returned to Ireland to play for Sligo Rovers and Bray Wanderers before joining Leigh and attracting attention with 45 goals in two seasons.
Crewe paid £75,000 for his services in the close-season of 2001, and he repaid them with another 45 goals (plus one more on loan last season).
With one strike during a loan spell at Rochdale in 2002 and six for Burnley, he is just two short of a century in England.
Jones joins a Town squad in which Booth is the only player currently sidelined through injury.
Ternent said last week’s 3-1 win at Swindon had provided a major boost but pointed out: “We still need to be that bit cleaner and more clinical in front of goal.”
Bristol Rovers are 11th, a point better off than Town but have played a game more.
Paul Trollope’s team are the second-highest scorers in League I with 22 goals, but have given away 20.
They are chasing a third straight win after beating Colchester 1-0 away and Leyton Orient 2-1 at home.
But they lost to Town home and away last time around and haven’t beaten them since a 3-2 win at Leeds Road in March 1989.
l More Town – Pages 46, 47.
