Noades admits he has been in contact with Steve Parish and Martin Long, who head the CPFC 2010 consortium, throughout the takeover process but is adamant he is not on the verge of taking on a role with the Coca-Cola Championship club.

The consortium signed contracts on Monday and paid a deposit on Selhurst Park which should save the future of the club who went into administration back in January, with the deal expected to be fully concluded by the end of July.

But Noades told the Croydon Advertiser: "The way it was presented suggested that I have been waiting in the wings the whole time and now I'm about to get on board, but I'm not going in with 2010.

"I have spoken with Steve and I know Martin very well. I am speaking to them again in the next few days and I am here to help in any way I can, but to say that I am now certain to get involved in the consortium is not right."

Meanwhile, the joint administrators of P and A Partnership have confirmed the meeting to announce the Company Voluntary Agreement proposal will be held on Friday June 25 at 11.30am at Selhurst Park.

Billy Jones is set to return to EXETER after agreeing personal terms and passing a medical at St James Park.

The 26-year-old made 90 appearances for the Grecians between 2005 and 2007 before moving to Crewe, where he is now out of contract.

The deal is set to be completed next week once Jones' agent returns from holiday.

PORT VALE have agreed a deal with out-of-contract CHELTENHAM striker Justin Richards.

The Robins were desperate to keep hold of their leading scorer from last season but the 29-year-old has opted to move away from Whaddon Road and will officially sign a two-year contract at Vale Park when his Town deal expires on July 1.

Vale boss Micky Adams said: "He is a player we have looked at a number of times and I believe he will add something for us."

GRIMSBY have signed ROTHERHAM midfielder Michael Cummins on a one-year contract.

The deal includes an additional one-year option to keep the 32-year-old at Blundell Park beyond next season.

BRADFORD midfielder Michael Flynn has signed a new two-year contract at Valley Parade.

The 28-year-old has ended speculation about his future by committing himself to Bradford until July 2012.

BURTON defender Ryan Austin has agreed a new short-term deal with the club.

The 25-year-old has not featured for the first team since suffering a cruciate knee ligament injury in November.

Brewers boss Paul Peschisolido told the club`s official website: "We aren't going to rush him at all. He needs to work towards his match fitness. If he can get back to the level he was at before his injury, it will be like having a new signing."

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SHEFFIELD UNITED have announced the signing of midfielder Leon Britton on a three-year deal from fellow Championship club Swansea.

The 27-year-old is the third new player to move to Bramall Lane following the arrivals of striker Daniel Bogdanovic from Barnsley and Crystal Palace defender Johnny Ertl, and he joins the Blades on a free transfer.

Britton told the club's official website, www.sufc.co.uk: "There was interest from the Premier League and I spoke to a couple of people there but it wasn't right for me - but Sheffield United was.

"First and foremost this is a massive club.

"I was here with Swansea for the penultimate one and the special atmosphere from that day is still fresh in my mind."

Manager Kevin Blackwell added: "This is a big signing for us and you only have to look at what some respected watchers have been saying about him, that he has been the best midfielder in the Championship for the last two years.

"It looked like being a losing battle a few weeks ago when Premier League interest stalled our bid but he looked at everything and said that he wants to come here."