BURY'S on-loan striker John Newby has given his firmest hint yet that he may stay at Gigg Lane for the rest of the season.

Since the arrival of the pacy 23-year-old, the Shakers have won two matches and both boss Andy Preece and chairman Terry Robinson are keen to hold onto Newby for as long as possible.

The loan period is officially for one-month only but Newby revealed what all Shakers fans want to hear - that he may be staying longer.

"I had a word with Gerard Houllier before I came and he said if I was enjoying it at Bury I could stay on after the month is up," said the down-to-earth Merseysider.

"I just want to play games so at the moment I'd be happy to stay on. I've been on loan before and once you get to know the lads after a first couple of games you're okay.

"I'm enjoying it at Bury. The fact that we've won two in a row since I came is nothing to do with me as such. We had a good win over Peterborough which gave us confidence and then to beat Walsall was a great achievement."

Despite Newby's modesty there is definitely a link between his arrival and the Shakers upturn in fortunes.

His selfless running off the ball and ability to get into good positions has lifted the whole team's confidence.

As Shakers fan know, Newby is lightning fast off the mark but when asked if he's quicker than his team-mate Michael Owen, the Liverpudlian gives a diplomatic answer.

"I'd better say no," he smiled. "Certainly over the first five yards Michael is quicker than anyone but after that ... there's not much in it."

qAN X-ray on Danny Swailes' ankle has showed no break. It is just badly bruised and according to manager Andy Preece the young central defender could even be fit for next Tuesday night's clash at Colchester.