Notts set to sign Jackson

JOHNNIE Jackson will today have a medical at Notts County and is expected to complete his move to Meadow Lane from Colchester United.

The former Spurs trainee – who was linked with a move to Nottingham Forest in 2004 – had talks with boss Ian McParland last Friday and has already agreed terms with the club.

He handed in a transfer request at Colchester at the end of last month, in frustration at his lack of first-team opportunities with the League One club.

Jackson joined the U's in June 2006, after being released by Tottenham having played 20 times in the Premier League for the London club.

He played more than 100 league games mostly during two seasons in the Championship and scored 13 goals for the Essex club.

He was named their Player of the Year in 2008.

He turned 27 on Saturday – the same day Notts won 4-0 at Macclesfield in League Two.

Ricky Ravenhill, who scored his first goal for the Magpies at Moss Rose, welcomes the arrival of a new midfielder and is relishing the challenge of more competition for places.

He said: "If we want to win promotion there has to be competition throughout the team to keep everyone on their toes.

"I will welcome any good signings the gaffer makes because it will only add more quality to the squad he has already put together."

Jackson has also spent loan spells at Swindon, Coventry, Watford and Derby in his career.

He could be thrown straight into the Notts squad for the trip to Chesterfield on Wednesday night, after Neal Bishop went to hospital with suspected broken ribs, following a challenge with Ross Draper in the first half at Moss Rose.

Graeme Lee will almost certainly not make the trip to Saltergate, after limping off with a groin injury at Macclesfield.

Boss Ian McParland was hoping the defender would be able to play with the problem but said he will now need an operation immediately to sort it out.