POPULAR midfielder Lennie Johnrose is back at Gigg Lane and raring to go.

The Preston-born midfielder was a massive favourite with the Bury faithful during a five year spell at the club and was an integral part of the team that made the leap from Division Three to Division One in successive seasons.

After being released by First Division neighbours Burnley he linked up with the Shakers last week and on Monday signed a month's contract.

Bury boss Andy Preece is delighted to acquire the 32-year-old and reckons he can be a vital cog as the club bid to bounce back into the Second Division at the first attempt.

"Lenny will give us balance in midfield and he's a great competitor," he said.

"He's a ball winner and will give us a more competitive edge and is also very useful at set pieces.

"He has great spring considering he's not the tallest and is very brave."

Johnrose will go straight into the squad for tonight's LDV Vans first round tie at Rochdale and that will give Shakers fans a massive thrill.

News that Johnrose was back in the Gigg Lane fold had obviously filtered through to the Bury faithful who were singing his name during the 1-0 victory at Rushden and Diamonds on Saturday.

He was originally signed for the Shakers from Hartlepool by Mike Walsh in December 1993 for a knockdown £10,000 and after a highly successful spell left the club for Turf Moor in a £225,000 deal in February 1999.

However, as Johnrose comes in it seems likely that someone else will be going through the door at Gigg as the manager performs a delicate financial balancing act.

It remains to be seen just who will be surplus to requirement in the coming weeks.

Preece also hasn't ruled out former Manchester City central defender Andy Morrison turning out for the Shakers in the near future.

Morrison, a close personal friend of the Bury manager from their days with Blackpool, has also been also training with the Shakers in a bid to get fit following a lengthy knee injury.

He is vastly experienced having seen action with Plymouth Argyle, Blackpool and Huddersfield Town before joining City and would be a superb acquisition.

Preece said: "Andy is still with us trying to get fit and he will probably have a game in our reserves before he does anything else."