INDIAN captain Baichung Bhutia has decided to ignore interest from a host of clubs in Singapore and instead stay at Bury and fight for his place.

Bhutia rang Shakers chairman Terry Robinson yesterday to announce he will arrive back in Bury on 1 July ready to knuckle down at pre-season training.

Bhutia told the chairman he wants to work hard and reclaim his place in the first team.

The news dispels rumours that the striker was on the verge of quitting Gigg Lane and joining a club in Singapore.

He is wanted there by at least three clubs with Woodlands Wellington leading the chase. Their manager has stated that he was personally trying to sign Bhutia and was hoping the player would agree to a move.

Manager Andy Preece, along with Robinson, had read about the saga in the newspapers and was prepared - though reluctantly - to let Bhutia leave if he wanted.

However, the striker's call to the chairman confirmed that he will return to Gigg next season to fulfill the final 12 months of his three-year contract.

"He called me to tell me he was coming back and that he'd see me on July 1," revealed Robinson.

"We were aware of interest from other clubs but there had been no official contact and no money was offered.

"We were waiting to hear what Baichung had to say and I'm pleased that he wants to stay. He said he wanted to fight for his place at Bury and was looking forward to the new season."

Commenting on other rumours flying around at the moment, Robinson laughed off suggestions that the Shakers were trying to sign left-back John O'Kane (released by Bolton) and Norwich's Bury-born goalkeeper Andy Marshall.

He also denied Paddy Kenny was on his way to Sheffield United, as some newspapers over the Pennines have been speculating.

One man the Shakers have definitely missed out on is Radcliffe Boro striker Neill Hardy.

The 27-year-old, who spent a month on trial at Gigg Lane at the end of the season, has been snapped up by First Division Stockport County for a fee of £15,000, with a further £10,000 to come based on appearances.

Hardy impressed during his trial, scoring a goal which helped the reserve team clinch promotion, but because of the takeover situation Bury were not in a position to offer Boro cash for the player. Stockport have nipped in and got their man, underlying the importance of sorting out the ownership of the club sooner rather than later.

Hardy, who will now quit his job as a labourer to become a pro player, admitted: "Bury were still interested in me but they have to wait for someone with some money to come in and buy the club before they can spend anything.

"Stockport have jumped in in the meantime and said they will take a chance. I've been told I've got to prove myself and force my way into the squad and I'm looking forward to the challenge."

BURY boss Andy Preece is on a well-deserved break but before he went on his hols he confirmed to the Bury Times that striker Lutel James maybe offered a new contract if a takeover of the club goes ahead.

Preece, who praised James for being a model professional, said he had spoken "at length" to the striker about the situation and hoped to "sort things out" at a later date.