THE protracted Nick Daws transfer saga could become a lot clearer in the next few days.

The Shakers skipper - in his ninth year at Gigg Lane - becomes a free agent after Sunday and could leave the club on a Bosman should he so wish.

An option for another twelve months to stay with the Shakers is on the table for the midfield dynamo, but with First Division new boys Rotherham United having already made a move for him, it could be that the 31-year-old will decide to join central defender Chris Swailes who recently moved to Millmoor.

Millers boss Ronnie Moore returns from holiday today and one of his first tasks is to weigh up which midfielders on his shortlist would fit the bill in Division One.

Daws has already proved himself at that level and a chance to establish himself again will no doubt appeal as a move to Yorkshire means he wouldn't have to uproot his young family.

Burnley - managed by former Bury boss Stan Ternent - will be watching with interest but with the Clarets manager on holiday it seems unlikely a quick deal will be made to take him to Turf Moor.

Rotherham assistant boss John Breckin was being cagey when the Bury Times asked him about the situation.

When asked whether they would sign Daws yesterday, he replied: "We may do."

"Nick is on our list but we haven't decided anything for definite yet.

"Daws is a similar kind of player to Chris Swailes and it is no secret we like him.

"He is approaching the twilight of his career but there is still a lot of mileage left in him."

After losing Swailes Bury chairman Terry Robinson will be keen to keep the club's current longest servant and has offered him a lucrative deal to stay.

However, the skipper is in no hurry to make a decision and will wait to see what offer, if any, is made by Rotherham.

Any hopes Andy Preece may have had of picking up Burnley midfielder Paul Smith look like going down the pan.

The left sided schemer, linked with a move to Gigg in recent weeks, looks like joining Scottish Premier Division side Kilmarnock.

Smith was freed by Ternent two months ago and spent a spell on loan with rivals Oldham last term.