Defensive duo seal futures

Last updated : 29 July 2005 By Richard Brown

Defender and former manager Ian Richardson today agreed to a one-month contract extension after overcoming a knee ligament injury.

Richardson suffered the injury back in September 2004 and has played just once since.

Ian Richardson
The 34-year old – whose current month-to-month deal expires at the end of the month – was appointed caretaker player-manager of the Magpies following the sacking of Gary Mills after less than ten months in charge here.

The defender – whose managerial record of 11 wins, 9 draws and 14 defeats helped secure Football League safety for the Magpies – penned a new one-month deal at lunchtime today in his bid to prove his fitness before a more permanent deal can be structured by boss Gudjon Thordarson.

Meanwhile, Brian "The OC" O’Callaghan’s move from Keflavik to Meadow Lane was finally completed after he landed international clearance.

The Icelandic side – who Thordarson managed prior to his move to Notts County this summer – claimed the defender, formerly of Barnsley, was contracted to the club and thus refused to allow the move to go through.

However, after frantic behind-the-scenes work the Icelandic FA decided that Keflavik had little choice but to hand over his registration to County.

Today’s news means that O’Callaghan can complete his transfer to the Magpies and will thus feature in the final friendly of the close season tomorrow at Hereford.