JAKE Hesketh has left Saints to join Lincoln on a season-long loan.

The midfielder, who joined the St Mary's side as a youngster in 2006, also spent the previous campaign gaining valuable playing time.

He was initially sent on loan to Burton last summer, only for him to return to Saints in January, before joining up with MK Dons.

Hesketh impressed during his time at MK Dons, where he won the club's player of the month award in February, as well as also scooping their goal of the month prize.

Lincoln City boss, Danny Cowley, admitted over the weekend that he was hoping to bring in some new faces before their transfer window shuts at 5pm today.

The League One side's manager said: "We’ve now got to use some of our relationships and contacts in football and see if we can convince some of our friends to make a sporting decision.

“Our environment and culture is good for young players and hopefully we can get one or two in on that basis.

“I think it’s the flick of a coin. The closer it gets to deadline day, the more likely it is that clubs are going to make sporting decisions rather than financial decisions, so we’re hopeful that we’ll be able to bring one or two in.

“But that can change very quickly, so we’ve got to stay really focused, keep our ear to the ground and react quickly.”