STRUGGLING striker Ian Lawson has been given a much-needed confidence boost by his captain.

The Bury hitman has had a lean time in front of goal since returning to Gigg Lane on a free transfer from Stockport County last month, scoring only once against Reading.

Add to that a couple of below-par performances and missing an easy chance against Wycombe last week and it has not added up to a fairytale start to his second spell with the Shakers.

However, skipper Paul Reid is confident that the forward will turn the corner and begin to find his feet.

And the captain also pointed out that Lawson is still not fully fit.

"Ian Lawson proved he is a natural goalscorer the first time he came here when he was knocking them in for fun," said Reid, who will remember that the striker scored 11 goals in 20 league starts last time he was at Gigg Lane.

"The one he missed against Wycombe has left him absolutely gutted but he's still not really one hundred per cent fit.

"He'll do a lot of running this week and next week to get his fitness levels up and then we've got an important game after that at Cambridge.

"I'm sure him and Jon Newby will get a good partnership going soon."

Lawson was delighted to return to Bury after suffering a nightmare spell at Stockport, where he went 18 months ago for £150,000. The Shakers were forced to sell him to raise money.

Towards the end of his time with Andy Kilner's side things were so bad he was even suffering the indignity of being banished to train with the youth team - a factor in leaving him short of match fitness now he is back at Bury.

The 24-year-old was delighted when Andy Preece took him back to Gigg Lane and he is now determined to rediscover his goalscoring form and show the Shakers fans what they have been missing.