Division Three News

Last updated : 11 February 2004 By Matt Carrington

Huddersfield Town manager Peter Jackson is weighing up a move for Middlesbrough goalkeeper Sam Russell in a possible loan deal. Russell is training with the Terriers in a bid to impress Jackson and will feature in a reserve team game for the club. Jackson has also stated that he will step up his search for a striker to replace Jon Stead who left the McAlpine Stadium to join Blackburn Rovers during the transfer window. Meanwhile 22-year-old striker Nat Brown has agreed a 12 month extension to his contract with the club.

York City striker Lee Bullock - who is out of contract at the end of the season - has joined First Division Cardiff City on trial. The 22-year-old will spend four days with the Bluebirds in a bid to earn a contract with the Welsh club. Bullock has scored six goals in the league this season and is currently the longest serving player at the club.

Northampton Town defender Chris Carruthers has signed a new two year deal to extend his stay with the Cobblers until 2006. Ex-Nottingham Forest defender Des Lyttle has also agreed a deal to keep him at the Sixfields Stadium until the end of the season. However Striker Lawrie Dudfield has joined Third Division rivals Southend United on loan for one month after recovering from a toe injury.

Carlisle United striker Richie Foran will see a specialist to discover the extent of an ankle injury suffered whilst playing on loan at Oxford United.

Cheltenham Town boss John Ward has extended the loan deal of Stoke City midfielder Karl Henry for a further month. Henry's loan deal will now expire after the clash against Lincoln City on March 6. ward has also let midfielder Lee Howells leave the club to join Dr Martins League club Merthyr Tydfil on loan for a month.

Kidderminster Harriers director of football Jan Molby has followed up the signing of Dean Keates by bringing former Harriers favourite Ian Foster back to the club. The 27-year-old has returned to Aggborough in a one-month loan deal from Conference leaders Chester City.

Mansfield Town's home fixture against Swansea - postponed last month due to a waterlogged pitch - will now be played at Field Mill on March 23.

Doncaster Rovers boss Dave Penney has taken former Barnsley defender David Mulligan on trial.

Cambridge United player-boss John Taylor has finally managed to sign Darlington midfielder Ashley Nicholls on loan. Nicholls has joined the U's for three months but the deal nearly never went ahead when Darlington were looking to sell the player in a permanent deal.

Oxford United manager Ian Atkins has made it clear the striker Steve Basham will not be leaving the club after he reportedly received an enquiry from Third Division rivals Swansea City. However midfielder Jamie Brooks has left the club to join Conference side Tamworth on a month's loan.

Leyton Orient boss Martin Ling has handed a trial to former Ipswich Town midfielder Erdem Artun. The 22-year-old was recently released by the First Division outfit and he played in a reserve team game in a bid to earn a permanent deal. Meanwhile the club have decided to release youngsters Graeme Butler and Phil Holder.

Southend United midfielder Jay Smith has been ruled out for the rest of the season after undergoing surgery on an ankle injury suffered during the 1-0 victory over Cambridge last Saturday.

Rochdale boss Steve Parkin has signed Danny Livesey and Kangana Lord-Ndiwa on loan from Premiership side Bolton. Both players have gone to Spotland for an initial month.

Lincoln City have been hit with the news that midfielder Richard Butcher could miss the rest of the season after suffering knee ligament damage during training.