SHAKERS boss Neil Warnock was both excited and stunned at landing trio Paul Reid, Sam Collins and Ian Lawson (pictured with Warnock).

After watching his latest acquisitions sign on the dotted line at Gigg Lane yesterday, he told the Bury Times: "I can't believe we've got them."

The deal for both Collins and Lawson had been on the cards for a few weeks, but Warnock was most surprised at Oldham's decision to let Reid leave Boundary Park.

"They only offered him a one-year deal and he wanted more than that," he explained.

"When I asked him if he wanted to join us at Bury I got the quickest reply I have ever had - around 10 seconds! He jumped at the chance to come here.

"We need toughening up a bit and he is just the man to help us do that. He is tenacious, is 100 per cent committed, has a sweet left foot, is great at set pieces and has a huge will to win."

Of his two younger signings, also on 'freebies', he beamed: "These lads have great potential. When you lose a player of the quality of Chris Lucketti that place takes some filling. "But Sam is very similar to Chris when he first arrived at Bury. He has the opportunity to stake a first team place and become a very good player - which is exactly what Chris did.

"He has a lot of attributes and a couple of weakness which we will have to work on.

"Lawson needs to be pushing for a regular start too. It is up to him to make it happen. He is a very quick striker, a good finisher and very deceptive in the area.

"He played together with Paul Barnes at Huddersfield and they worked very well together."

Nick Daws is still pondering over an improved Shakers contract. The midfielder, who has also been offered the team captaincy, is expected to agree to stay on.

Bury will play Manchester City in a pre-season friendly at Gigg Lane on Saturday, July 17, 3pm.

Fans can pay on the day, price £10 adults, £5 juniors.

The club is running a superb VIP match day package including main stand seat, bucks fizz reception, four course meal and car park pass; price £25 per person and £15 juniors.

Call 0161 705 2144 for more details.

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