STAR striker Sam Newson has signed an extended contract with Needham Market.

Newson, whose goalscoring expolits this season have propelled Needham to the top of Ryman League Division One North, has committed himself to the Bloomfields outfit until the end of the 2012/13 season.

The 23-year-old striker was due spend four days with League Two side Gillingham last week, but a knee injury sustained on the Saturday before against Chatham Town scuppered his trial.

Club chairman David Bugg said: “This is a timely boost for the football club as we go into this busy and key period of the season.

“To do so sitting top of the league and having secured the services of the top goalscorer in all three divisions of the Ryman League to a new deal is great news for all of our supporters, as well as a fitting and timely reward for the hard work that goes on at the club each and every day.”

The club confirmed that negotiations over a new contract had started, but that those talks had been deferred after the player had been offered the opportunity to spend some time at Gillingham.

Newson, who has netted 29 times for Needham this season, is expected to be out for up to six weeks after sustaining medial ligament damage to his left knee.