BURY boss Andy Preece is confident he now has a side to be feared after securing the services of former Stockport County defender Colin Woodthorpe.

The 33-year-old centre back made 173 appearances in five years at County but is now surplus to manager Carlton Palmer's requirements.

He has signed on a one-month contract and joins Pawel Abbott, Liam George, Terry Dunfield and Ian Kilford on Preece's list of short-term recruitments.

"I believe I now have a fully-balanced squad," said Preece.

"If I needed to, I could happily change all 11 players from one game to the next."

Liverpudlian Woodthorpe has four years of top flight experience behind him after making 43 appearances during Norwich City's spell in the Premiership and the old Division One in the early 1990s.

He made his first appearance in a Bury shirt last night as the reserves lost 1-0 to Preston North End.