David Noble and Alex Nicholls: On-loan pair sign for Exeter City

Alex Nicholls (left) has played 13 times for Exeter this season, while Noble has made 12 appearances

Exeter have signed midfielder David Noble and forward Alex Nicholls on permanent deals after the pair were released by their clubs.

Noble, 32, most recently featured for Exeter on loan from Oldham Athletic, with the spell ending in December.

He has played 12 times for the Grecians this season and made 88 appearances at St James Park during a previous permanent spell between 2010 and 2012.

Nicholls, 27, has been released by Northampton Town.

He has had two loan spells with the Grecians already this season, scoring one goal for the club.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old forward Ollie Watkins has extended his loan spell with Weston-super-Mare for a further month.