Bury eye trialist trio

Bury have offered contracts to Jim Provett, Ben Leonard and Ahmed Dean after the trio impressed while on trial at Gigg Lane.

Ex-Hartlepool goalkeeper Provett played the full 90 minutes in Bury's three pre-season fixtures, conceding three goals.

Shakers manager Chris Casper is even more determined to secure the signing of Provett after Aaron Grundy picked up a serious injury in training.

Casper said: "Aaron went in for a challenge during training the other day and he has chipped the bone in his ankle. He will be out for six weeks which is a big disappointment because he has done well in pre-season

"It means sorting out the goalkeeper situation a little bit more urgent now so hopefully Jim Provett will sign."

Director of Football Keith Alexander revealed his hope that Sierra Leone full-back Dean and midfielder Leonard would soon sign on.

Talking to the club's official website, Alexander said: "Ahmed Dean has been made an offer. I would like to add him to the squad but obviously he is a Londoner coming up North and that is causing us a problem in terms of trying to get anything near the offer he is looking for.

"We've also offered a contract to Ben Leonard from Sheffield. He is playing in Sheffield Sunday football leagues and the offer has been made to him. Hopefully he will accept that and if he does, then people will see him in the side sooner than they think because he is a very good player."

Meanwhile, Chester manager Bobby Williamson has confirmed that the Blues have turned down an offer from Bury for striker Simon Yeo.

"Bury did make an approach which we rejected without even speaking figures," he told the club's website.