BURY Football Club WILL be fielding a reserve team in the Pontins League next season after all.

The U-turn - following the decision to continue running the Schools of Excellence after their closure was announced - is the clearest evidence yet that there could be a much-needed injection of cash on the horizon.

It is believed that up to three offers to invest in the Shakers could be on the table at what promises to be a fascinating club Annual General Meeting on July 24.

That would be great news for the four directors currently at the Gigg Lane helm, who are all acutely aware that new faces are desperately needed to take the club forward.

The cutting back of players since the end of the season that resulted in first teamers Jon Newby, Chris Billy, Michael Nelson, Steve Redmond, Jamie Stuart, Colin Cramb and Nicky Hill all leaving Gigg Lane has given the club's wage bill a far more realistic look for a club of Bury's size.

And that too is thought to have given the green light to would-be investors who have insisted on a confidentiality agreement ahead of a deal.

Manager Andy Preece will now be keen to call a halt to the haemorrhaging of players from the club and set about organising a talent transfusion.

And the next step for the boss - currently on holiday in Las Vegas - and his backroom staff is to start a re-building mission to get the first team squad up to size.

Preston striker Joe O'Neill became the first acquisition when he arrived on a 12-month loan deal this week.

But according to first team coach Graham Barrow fans can expect as many as four more senior players, strictly in the form of loan deals and free transfers, joining the ranks in the near future.

"We've lost the backbone of the team this summer," he said.

"Personally, I think if we added four players of reasonable experience to the existing squad we would be at a similar level to last season.

"We are certainly going to make some move next week when the manager's back off his holiday. We have to move now because players are wanting decisions.

"With such an array of gaps to plug, manager Andy Preece will be looking at strengthening all areas of the squad.

But Barrow said the priority was to bring more experience to the young side.

"Now Michael (Nelson) has gone we definitely need a centre back and probably someone who can play on the left and give us more balance," he said.

"We've still got a number of strikers but you would hope we could replace Jon Newby. We need a strong lad up front who can hold the ball up like Andy Preece.

"There are still a lot of great kids coming through but they need a bit of guidance. So we are looking at characters who have been around a bit."

One such 'character' is left sided midfielder Phil Charnock who joined the club on trial yesterday.

The former Liverpool youth player, who played more than 150 games for Crewe Alexandra and was released by Port Vale at the end of the season, is just the kind of experienced campaigner Barrow is talking about.

Equally adept playing in an attacking or defensive role, his versatility could be crucial and at 28 he should be at his footballing peak.