SCARBOROUGH boss Russell Slade has lined up Barnsley defender James Dudgeon as his first signing of the summer.

Dudgeon has agreed a move to the McCain Stadium following his release from Oakwell at the start of the week.

The 22-year-old centre-back will shortly put pen to paper on a deal for next season and is looking to get his career back on track following a year-and-a-half of illness anguish.

Dudgeon was laid low with post-viral fatigue syndrome, which prevented him from making a League appearance for Barnsley.

However, the former Scotland youth international is now back to full fitness and does have some first-team experience under his belt thanks to a successful loan spell at Lincoln City two seasons ago, when he chalked up 20 starts in the Third Division and weighed in with three goals.

"He needs a good pre-season and that's what he will get," said Slade. "Hopefully he will then be back to where he was 18 months ago when Barnsley thought very highly on him.

"He's a player I was interested in before he got this virus and he fits the criteria I'm looking for."

Slade has already signed up a number of young players with league experience in the shape of Keith Gilroy, Scott Kerr and Mike Price, and Dudgeon's arrival will bolster a defensive unit now missing Paul Shepherd and Richard Dryden.

The pair have turned down new offers but Steve Baker will return next season after agreeing a 12-month deal.

The 24-year-old former Middlesbrough central defender played just four times last season because of a knee injury but is now recovered and looking to recapture the form that made him a key player under Slade following his arrival from the Riverside Stadium, initially on loan, in November, 2001.

"It was a very frustrating season for him and he's desperate to get back playing again," Slade added.

With Mohammed Sillah and Mark Hotte close to agreeing new deals, Slade is just waiting for Dave Ridler, Gary Cohen, Gareth Stoker and goalkeeper Andy Woods to decide whether to accept the contracts on offer.

Updated: 11:27 Thursday, May 15, 2003