BURY are ready to fight all the way to secure the signing of Indian star Baichung Bhutia as fears mount that there could be problems over his work permit.

And Bury MPs David Chaytor and Ivan Lewis have added their weight to the cause, with Chaytor calling for a general overhaul of the regulations governing work permits.

Although 22-year-old Bhutia has played 31 internationals for India, the country is not rated amongst the top 70 by FIFA - they are 114th. Regulations have also been tightened to ensure home grown players get the chance to play for British teams.

But with the current campaign to remove racism from the sport backed by both the football authorities and the government, Bury could use that angle to support any appeal to the Home Office.

There are also moves to increase the interest in football amongst the Asian communities in the country and the signing of the Football League's first Indian-born player would be a major boost in that direction.

It would focus attention on Bhutia, Bury Football Club and the town as a whole to gauge whether there was a significant increase in Asians both coming to watch games and coming through on the playing side.

Bury North MP David Chaytor - himself a lifelong Shakers fan - said he would do everything he could to make sure Bhutia came to Gigg Lane.

He confirmed the club have not yet been in contact, but said the whole system needed looking at.

"It think it is ridiculous that nations which are trying to establish themselves in the footballing world should face such restrictions," he said. "I will be asking for the work permit system to be looked at."

He said he and Ivan Lewis would also be happy to approach the Home Office to lobby on the club's behalf.

"I will do all I can to ensure Baichung can play in Britain - and Bury can take advantage of his skills," said Mr Chaytor. His Bury South counterpart Mr Ivan Lewis said he too would do anything he could to help the club.

The Shakers are not overly concerned at the moment. Chairman Terry Robinson said: "We are still awaiting notification over the work permit for Baichung, but we always knew there was the likelihood of having to go to appeal."

However, both Robinson and manager Neil Warnock are confident that Bury can put forward a convincing case should the matter go to appeal.

"We are optimistic we can overcome any obstacles," said Warnock.

One pointer for Bury is that Southampton's Latvian striker Marian Pahars was eventually granted a work permit on deadline day last season after two appeals and the intervention of former Sports Minister David Mellor.

Meanwhile, the Bury boss turned his attentions to tomorrow's trip to Luton and the bid to secure the Shakers first away win of the season.

Luton have fielded a very young side so far this season with just two players, striker Phil Gray, and central defender Marvin Johnson over the age of 21.

That has been brought about principally because of Luton's escape from the Receiver's axe just two minutes before the deadline on the day before the start of this season.

Three players, defender Steve Davis, midfield man Sean Evers and goalkeeper Kelvin Davis, were sold for a total of £2,100,00.

They have won three, drawn one and lost one in the league so far this season, that defeat coming in a 1-0 setback at Bournemouth last Tuesday.

Warnock, who has doubts over midfielder Darren Bullock (swollen glands) and Andy Preece (back), said: "We've got to make sure its tough for them. I look forward to every game at the moment and it would be nice to get an away win, especially before going back to Oldham a week on Saturday.

"The likelihood is that they still won't have scored before then as they've got Gillingham away tomorrow."

Ghanaian goalkeeper Simon Addo has now ended his trial with Bury, but Warnock, who only has youngster Gary Hoggeth to call on apart from Pat Kenny, says: "We are still keeping in touch with Simon as well as looking around for others, but nobody else has come in at the moment."

So far this season Warnock has risked not having a substitute goalkeeper on the bench and he revealed that in the event of Pat Kenny being injured during a game, Chris Billy would take over in goal.

"Chris has done the job before for me at Huddersfield and he's not got a bad pair of hands," added Warnock.

Assistant manager Kevin Blackwell also saw service as a goalkeeper with Plymouth Argyle and the Shakers have retained his playing registration. But, at 41, he is unlikely to be called on except in emergencies.

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