Jermaine Johnson and Donovan Ricketts are poised to put pen to paper on new City contracts by the weekend.

The Jamaican duo are ready to sign one-year deals that will keep them at Valley Parade until the end of next season.

News that the pair are committing themselves to the club for a further term will come as a timely boost ahead of Saturday's crucial home clash with Brighton.

And with so many City players out of contract in June, the double signing provides one less headache for boss Colin Todd.

Johnson's early-season form in particular could have alerted other clubs and City were keen to act fast before running the risk of losing a prize asset.

Todd said: "It sends out the right message if the club are to move forward. This will give us a bit more security.

"They are both important players in the squad and we're pleased to keep them on board but it's important now that, having got the new contracts sorted out, they do not allow their standards to slip.

"They have got to maintain the level they have been performing at and keep trying to improve."

Goalkeeper Ricketts has now made 60 appearance since joining City from Jamaican side Village United in July 2004.

But he had to play second fiddle behind Paul Henderson for most of his first year, finally making his debut against Brentford at Valley Parade the following April.

It was only after Henderson made it clear he would be moving on that Ricketts was given his chance.

Having waited so long, the 6ft 6in giant established himself as first choice and has only missed a handful of games since through injury and suspension.

Johnson was snapped up during the summer from Tivoli Gardens on a "last chance" in England following a mixed spell with Bolton and Oldham.

Todd was confident in his ability to unlock League One defences and the lightning-fast winger has quickly become a fans favourite with his elusive running.

He has scored three goals in 16 games, including a late consolation at Blackpool last week, and has been City's most creative attacking spark.

City wanted to tie down the players for longer but their agent wants to review the deal next season.

Chairman Julian Rhodes said: "It was important that we did something because we didn't want to run the risk of losing them for nothing in the summer.

"It's good for both parties because the players get to earn a bit more while we guarantee keeping them for longer."

City have gone five games without a win and Ricketts showed his frustration after the final whistle at Blackpool by staging a ten-minute "sit-in" on the edge of his penalty area.

But Todd denied national newspaper reports that he publicly criticised the keeper for his actions.

He said: "I just asked where Donovan was and someone said he was on the pitch. All I said was to leave him there."