Manager Joe Royle has confirmed that Dean McDonald will be offered a deal with the club in the summer. The 18-year-old winger or striker, in the squad for Saturday's home game with Crewe, has been on a short-term deal designed to give him time to show the Town management what he can do.

Royle has been suitably impressed: "Dean has done really well. He has got better and better in his time with us and I thought he was outstanding in the midweek reserve game at Norwich.

"He is the kind of player who can change a game. What we need to find out now is whether or not he can do it at first team level."

McDonald won't start against the Railwaymen but Royle says he could come on at some stage: "He is in with a big chance of being on the bench. Dean is different and the fans will love him. He makes things happen and if we're either very comfortable in the game, or we need something a bit dramatic, he could make his debut.

"This is a bit of recognition for him after he has done well for the reserves, but I'll also be sitting down to discuss a new contract with him."

McDonald, released by Arsenal last summer, has been handed the number 15 shirt.

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