Jackson signed for County on a three-year deal and is another player to arrive at Meadow Lane with Premier League experience.

As a trainee at Tottenham Hotspur, the left-footed midfielder, who is comfortable in the centre as well as out wide, turned out for their first-team 20 times in the league, scoring once.

He was never able to truly establish himself as a first-team regular in his seven years at White Hart Lane, leading him to be sent out on loan to a number of lower division clubs.

Following spells with Swindon, Colchester, Coventry, Watford and Derby he was released by the London-based outfit.

Having already witnessed his capabilities, Colchester re-signed Jackson on a free contract and he went on to make more than a hundred appearances in the blue and white stripes.

Despite picking up the U's 2008 Player of the Season award Jackson picked up a back injury, which led him to fall out of favour.

In August, 2009 he joined the Magpies for an undisclosed fee, immediately making an impact by scoring on his home debut and has since become a regular in the starting-11.