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Ace to join

Dave Lawrenson
12/ 6/2008

A MIDFIELD workhorse has verbally agreed to join Bury – and manager Alan Knill is tipping him to take League Two by storm next season.

Knill refused to be swayed from his philosophy of never revealing the identity of a transfer target until their signature has been secured.

But he was quick to label the impending new arrival an ideal replacement for Dale Stephens, who has turned down a new contract offer from the Shakers to join League One outfit Oldham.

Knill said: "I needed to bring someone in to replace Dale and I have found the right man for the job.

"He knows the league. He has played in it before and he is still young.

"He has got all of the qualities that you need to do well at this level. He has got the legs and he puts his foot in.

"He is a really good player and I am sure that he will do very well for us next year. He has shaken hands on a deal and we are just waiting for him to get back to us now with his contract signed and sealed."

The mystery man will be the second new arrival at Gigg Lane this summer following the prized catch of Hereford keeper Wayne Brown.

Knill is now looking to round off his close season recruitment mission by bringing in a centre half, with former Bury loanee Efe Sodje being his number one choice, and a striker.

But he may be forced into a rethink if any of Bury’s five out of contract players – David Buchanan, Cameron Belford, Glynn Hurst, Brian Barry-Murphy and Nicky Adams – decide to seek pastures new.

Left back Buchanan looks certain to stay after calling Knill from a foreign holiday to say that he is completely happy with the terms of his contract offer and will put pen to paper when he returns to England early next week.

Young keeper Belford has also verbally agreed to an extended deal.

Knill insists that Hurst wants to stay put and he is ‘very hopeful’ of reaching an agreement with the striker when they meet up today, Thursday, June 12.

He also envisages ‘no problems’ in trying to keep Barry-Murphy at the club but all that Knill would say about fellow midfielder Adams is that his transfer negotiations are ‘on-going’.

Knill has previously admitted to speaking to players who play in Adams’ position to cover himself if the Wales Under-21s international decides to move on.

And he has made it clear that he is not prepared to be kept waiting long for his out of contract players to make their stay or go decisions.

Knill said: "The players have to make decisions or I will bring someone in to replace them."

The Bury boss is still unwilling to reveal who his assistant manager will be next season.

He insists that ‘everything has been agreed’ with a number two but contract issues with the experienced man’s previous employers are forcing Knill to keep shtoom.