Routledge has joined on a season long loan deal from Premier League side Wigan while Thomas was available on the free transfer following his release from Colchester.
“I watched Jon a couple of years ago when he was playing for the reserves at Wigan,” Reidtold the Daily Record.
“He is certainly the right type and we’re hoping he can play a part in central midfield.
“Jon is tenacious and gets about people and that is something I like. We have lost bags of energy in the middle of the park.
“Joel has been released by Colchester and he’s a very interesting character.
“We’ve always known there is potential in there and he started to show it towards the end of last season.
“Joel is the type of lad who has to be loved and we are a club that likes to put an arm around players. It seems to work for Joel.”
