NEW signing Lindon Meikle will bring "pace and directness" to York City, according to manager Nigel Worthington.

The 26-year-old winger has arrived at Bootham Crescent on a two-year deal having spent three seasons at Mansfield, where he was out of contract this summer.

Meikle netted 12 times in 124 outings for the Stags having followed manager Paul Cox from Eastwood Town, where he played for seven years after making his debut for the Nottinghamshire part-timers at the age of 16.

The former England C international, who also qualifies to play for Jamaica through his father, started in both legs for Mansfield during their 2012 Conference play-off semi-final defeat to his new team.

He also made 48 appearances during the Field Mill club's title-winning campaign the following season but only kicked off two SkyBet League Two games last season under Cox.

City chief Worthington, though, is pleased to have the Nottingham-born attacker on board, saying: "He's got pace and that directness to get at defenders, which is something we have been looking at over the course of the summer, so I am very pleased to get him in."

The Minstermen will kick off the season with the likes of Meikle, fellow summer signing Anthony Straker and Michael Coulson vying for wide places.

Josh Carson is also expected to return by the end of November following his cruciate ligament injury and Worthington added: "It's important that we have full cover for Josh and, when the opportunity to sign a young player of Lindon's ability comes along, you jump at it.

"He's ready for a new challenge. I have explained what we are all about and he's excited about coming in."

Meikle is expected to be the Minstermen's final permanent signing of the summer although, with Dan Parslow and Wes Fletcher facing a race to kick off the campaign and Carson definitely sidelined, Worthington has not ruled our further additions on loan should the squad be further depleted during the next month.

"I am pleased to get Lindon in for the second day of pre-season because he won't miss out as far as the fitness work is concerned," Worthington pointed out. "I like to get as many things done as quickly as possible because that gives the new players time to settle in, bond with everyone else and do the same amount of work.

"I am very happy with the group we have got together. Numbers wise, we will be down a bit with Wes, Pars and Josh injured but Wes and Pars shouldn't be a million miles away for the start of the season and, if we need to go into the loan market, the chairman is willing to make that happen."