HOT shot Ian Lawson has issued a "come and get me" message to Bury - if he cannot force his way into the Stockport team.

The former Shakers favourite is fully fit and raring to go after enduring 12 months of misery, during which he has undergone three operations on hernia and cartilage problems.

That destroyed his chances of making an impact at Edgeley after he left Gigg Lane to join Andy Kilner's team for £35,000 18 months ago.

Stockport have brought in a glut of strikers since and Lawson will have to work mighty hard to get his place back.

If he does not he would jump at a chance to rejoin Bury, where he was a prolific goalscorer and a huge crowd favourite.

"I can't say too much because I am still a Stockport player and first and foremost I want to try and get back in their team," Lawson exclusively told the BEN.

"I am fully fit again and I am looking forward to pre-season training. As soon as we start training I'll go and see the boss and ask him where I stand.

Interest

"I am aware of Bury's interest and I still love the club. The fans were brilliant and the chairman is great; in fact the club is full of great people.

"If Stockport didn't want me I would love to come back to Bury but that is only if I'm not wanted here."

Bury boss Andy Preece is aware of Lawson's nightmare spell at Stockport and is keeping close tabs on the situation.

The news that the striker is keen to come back is good news for Bury who may have money to spend if the takeover of the club is completed, as planned, in early August.

The Shakers already have Jon Newby and they are also after two other forwards in Dean Crowe and Colin Cramb. But, with the club hopeful of making a real challenge in Division Two this year, it is a case of the more firepower the better.

And with the fixture list Preece's team have been handed, the sooner Bury snap up some players the better.

The first three games could not have been more difficult with Bury taking on the three teams relegated from Division One.

The Shakers start their campaign at Tranmere before facing QPR in their opening match at Gigg Lane and then travelling to Hudderfield, captained by former Shaker Chris Lucketti.

"It's not what you'd call easy," reflected chairman Robinson as he surveyed the list. "We will have to be firing on all cylinders right from the first kick off.

"But I suppose we had to play the big teams sometime. It's just unfortunate for the manager that he can't do a bit of scouting on them beforehand."