BURY are poised to snap up Stoke striker Dean Crowe as soon as the Gigg Lane take over is sorted out.

Crowe became a hit with the fans when he spent two loan spells at the club last year.

Not only did he score goals but his energetic performances lifted the team, and manager Andy Preece is known to be a keen fan of the player.

Because of the money situation at Bury the deal cannot be done yet but the Bury Times has learned that the signing of Crowe will almost certainly happen.

A club source said: "Dean Crowe is a player we've not forgotten about. He did well when he came here and has been out of the picture at Stoke all season.

"He would jump at a chance of coming to Bury and, as long as the takeover goes through, a deal will be sorted out."

Crowe had two spells at Bury. His first one, at the end of the 1999/2000 season was a huge success.

The pacy striker was in goalscoring form until he suffered a knee injury which cut short his stay and forced him to return to Stoke.

Crowe was signed again on loan at the start of this season but was not quite as prolific.

He scored against Wrexham in the first home match of the campaign but failed to break into the team and was allowed to return to the Britannia Stadium after a month.

Now it looks as though it could be third time lucky.

Meanwhile Preece has paid tribute to former Shakers hitman Paul Barnes.

The popular striker impressed the manager with his attitude but could not hold down his place in the team and has joined Doncaster Rovers after a successful loan spell at the end of the season.

"Barney was different class for me ever since I took over," Preece said. "He helped coach the young players.

"It was a situation where he knew he was going to struggle to get another contract and we kept him up to date with offers from other clubs. I'm glad he's got himself sorted out at Doncaster, where Dean Barrick is, and I wish him all the best."