SHAKERS skipper Nick Daws looks set to follow Chris Swailes and join First Division Rotherham United.

And it has prompted Shakers chairman Terry Robinson to attack the Bosman ruling which allows players to leave for nothing.

The Yorkshire side, who agreed a three-year contract with Bury's Player of the Year Swailes on Tuesday, have also been monitoring Daws' form over the past 12 months and have been impressed by what they've seen.

As well as being keen to sign players with First Division experience they also want players who give 110 per cent and, like Swailes, Daws certainly fits that criteria.

It would be a huge blow for the club to lose its two star players but there is nothing Bury can do. Both men are out of contract and are available on free transfers.

They are entitled to look for a club which offers them the best financial package and though Bury offered both players good terms they weren't able to match Rotherham's offer to Swailes. If the Yorkshire side come back for Daws then it is unlikely Bury will be able to stop that going through either.

"This is what we knew would happen when the Bosman ruling went through," said Robinson.

"It means good quality players who we signed for six figure sums can walk out for absolutely nothing and we get no compensation.

"It is like watching pound notes walk out of the door but there is absolutely nothing we can do to stop it happening."

Rotherham have not yet made a bid for Daws - Bury's longest serving player who joined from non-league Altrincham in 1992 - but the club believes it is only a matter of time.

Meanwhile there is one bit of cheer after the Shakers landed a plum draw in yesterday's first round league cup draw.

Bury are paired with First Division Sheffield Wednesday and the tie will take place at Gigg Lane during the week commencing August 20.

The league cup has been cut to just one leg this season which gives Andy Preece's men a great chance of progressing to the second round, when the Premiership big boys enter the fray.