First signing of summer as Jonah completes deal.

WREXHAM manager Dean Saunders yesterday completed the first signing of his summer overhaul when Mark Jones returned on a one-year deal.

The midfielder, who won two Wales caps during his previous spell at the Racecourse, agreed to rejoin his hometown club two weeks ago and yesterday signed his new contract to confirm his return.

Nicknamed "Jonah", he became a fans' favourite during his six previous seasons at the club and became known for his spectacular long-range goals - he scored 13 in 42 appearances in the 2005-6 season.

Jones was given a free transfer 12 months ago by Brian Little, Saunders' predecessor as Wrexham manager.

He joined Rochdale, but made only 13 appearances for the League Two club last season and was declared surplus to requirements at the end of the campaign.

Boss Saunders has persuaded Jones, now 24, to step down a level to help the Dragons' battle to win promotion from the Blue Square Premier back into the Football League.

After announcing Jones had agreed to return to the Racecourse at the end of last month, the Wrexham boss said he was giving the midfielder a chance to resurrect his career and possibly even get himself back in the Wales squad.

Saunders, who is also assistant to Wales manager John Toshack, said at the time: "I can help him improve his game and I can provide the system that will encourage his goal-scoring ability, which was lacking from our midfield last season.

"He is still a young player who can certainly play at Conference level. But he should be aiming much higher than that and it's not beyond the realms of possibility that he could get himself back in the Wales squad if he knuckles down to be the player we all know is in there."

Wrexham won't be too hard-hit if sports broadcaster Setanta goes into administration, the club said yesterday.

Setanta broadcast live Blue Square Premier games Saunders last season but are currently trying to refinance the company and have suspended all new customer subscriptions.

Wrexham were televised live four times last season, for which they received around pounds 75,ooo.

Club secretary Geraint Parry said: "The money was certainly welcome, as was the coverage they gave us - they televised our games at Torquay and York which a lot of fans wouldn't have been able to see.

"We'll have to wait and see what happens, but it wouldn't be the end of the world if we didn't get that money next season - although for a small club like Lewes it must be much worse as they only get crowds of about five- or 600."

Meanwhile, Silvio Spann came on as a substitute for Trinidad & Tobago in their 2-1 World Cup qualifying defeat to Mexico on Wednesday, having also played in their 3-2 defeat to Coast Rica at the weekend.

CAPTION(S):

Boss Dean Saunders Mark Jones after re-joining the Dragons yesterday