Division Three News

Last updated : 04 February 2004 By Matt Carrington

Huddersfield Town striker Jonathan Stead has moved to Premiership side Blackburn Rovers in deal believed to worth in excess of £1million. The 20-year-old has been in fine form this season, scoring 18 goals for the Terriers and Rovers boss Graeme Souness had three bids rejected before finally agreeing on a price. Stead has signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Ewood Park

Bury boss Graham Barrow has extended the loan deals of striker Jon Daly and defender Dave Challinor from Second Division Stockport County for a further month.

Carlisle United player-boss Paul Simpson has been hit with the news that Paul Raven could face another month on the sidelines. The defender has been out all year with a knee injury and looked set for a comeback before aggravating the injury during training. However some good news came for Simpson after on-loan defender Paul Arnison completed his move to the Cumbrians from Second Division Hartlepool United.

Scunthorpe United have agreed contract extensions with striker Paul Hayes and full-back Kevin Sharp until the end of next season. Meanwhile the club have rearranged their league encounter with Torquay United after it was originally postponed due to a waterlogged pitch and bad winds. The game will now be played on Tuesday 24th February.

York City player-boss Chris Brass is not confident of bringing Sheffield Wednesday striker Jon Shaw back to Bootham Crescent after his loan spell expired. The Minstermen have also rearranged their league game against Lincoln City, now to be played on Tuesday 17th February.

Bristol Rovers caretaker-manager Phil Bater has revealed that the club are interested in signing on-loan striker Lee Matthew on a permanent basis from local rivals Bristol City.

Sam Shilton has signed for Conference side Burton Albion after being released by Kidderminster Harriers.

Rochdale's Kevin Donavan has left the club after both parties agreed it was for the best. The 32-year-old winger was brought to Spotland by former boss Alan Buckley but has now left the club after making seven first team appearances.

Lincoln City midfielder Niall McNamara has extended his contract with the Imps until the end of the season. The club are also interested in bringing Scunthorpe United defender Jamie McCombe to Sincil Bank according to Iron boss Brian Laws.

Southend United caretaker-manager Steve Tilson has been boosted by the news that midfielder Jay Smith will not require surgery on his injured knee.

Oxford United defender Andy Scott is targeting a return to first team action by the end of February following a successful return from a broken leg suffered last October.

Yeovil Town boss Gary Johnson has brought Walsall striker Andy Bishop to Huish Park on loan with a view to a permanent move. The 21-year-old will spend an initial month on loan before a decision on his future is made.

Cambridge United player-boss John Taylor has brought three trialists to the club as he looks for a replacement for Dave Kitson. Strikers Matt Robinson and Jermaine Easter along with winger Kevin Dixon will spend a week with the club in a bid to impress Taylor. Meanwhile the U's have rescheduled their home game against Carlisle United to Tuesday 17th February.

Swansea City have parted company with 20-year-old Earl Davis after agreeing to terminate his registration.

Mansfield Town player-boss Keith Curle has signed QPR striker Richard Pacquette on a month-long loan deal. The 21-year-old initially joined the Stags on trial but impressed Curle during a reserve team victory over Crewe to be offered a deal straight away.

Darlington boss David Hodgson is hoping to sign Sunderland striker Neil Taggart in time for the game against Huddersfield this weekend.

Cheltenham Town manager John Ward has made club captain Mark Yates along with midfielder Lee Howells available for loan.