Gateshead sign Jones, Allan, Rankine and O'Donnell

Jones struggled to make an impact on loan at Tranmere last term after being sent off in the first half of his debut against Peterborough

Gateshead have boosted their squad for the new Conference Premier season with four new signings.

Defender Andrai Jones, 22, joins after his release by Barnsley, where he made just two senior appearances.

Striker Michael Rankine, 29, left Hereford after they were expelled from the Conference over unpaid debts.

Defender Tom Allan, 19, played for Heed boss Gary Mills at York, while midfield man JJ O'Donnell, 22, returns from Luton after a loan spell last term.

All the players have agreed one-year contracts, though Allan's deal will extend by a season should he make a pre-determined number of appearances.

The signings take Gateshead's list of new recruits to five, after striker Jon Shaw rejoined the club from Luton Town earlier this month.