MALTESE international Luke Dimech will not start the season at Bury - but it doesn't mean he won't be joining.

Bury are allowing the classy central defender to return home to play for his Maltese club side, Sliema Wanderers, in European clashes.

The idea is for him to gain more experience.

Then, all being well, when the ownership of the club has been resolved, the Shakers will be able to step in and buy their man.

"At the moment he is still under contract to his club in Malta. We are letting him return but we will be keeping a close eye on his progress," confirmed Bury boss Andy Preece.

"I've been impressed by him. He's a good footballer who is pleasing to the eye and very quick.

"But he still has this year left in Malta and because of all the experience he will get in Europe and in World Cup qualifiers for his country it will make him an even better player.

"We will remain in contact and hopefully sort something out further down the line."

A similar situation applies to two other players currently training at Gigg Lane, former Oxford midfielder Matt Murphy and ex-Everton striker Gareth Seddon.

Bury want to sign both players but can't until a takeover goes through.

Preece explained: "I'm keen to get them both and sign them up. That's what we will do when the situation moves forward but as everybody knows it's not possible at the moment."

The next pre-season friendly takes place tomorrow when Preece and his squad travel to Southport, kick off 3pm.

It will be another handy warm up in the lead up to the new campaign.

Preece wants his players to have a good, competitive match - though not, perhaps, quite as competitive as the bruising midweek win against Accrington Stanley.

Bury won 1-0 but Preece was a little perturbed by some of the challenges from certain Accrington players.

And at one point tempers boiled over and nearly every player plus the two benches were involved in an unseemly melee.

"There were a few naughty things going on and I was bit unhappy with some of the challenges," added Preece.

"But we shouldn't have reacted like we did. We lost our discipline and given our poor disciplinary records last season that is something we shouldn't have done.

"I won't stand for that from the lads this season and that will be the first and last time it will happen."

Preece also confirmed that young defender Michael Nelson, who is likely to figure at Southport tomorrow, has been offered a contract and will be a Bury player for the coming season.