WANTAWAY Bury star Andy Preece could be set for a move into Portuguese soccer.

The much-travelled striker, who has been the target of the Gigg Lane boo-boys since his transfer from Blackpool last summer, travelled to Portugal this week with a view to securing a contract with newly promoted First Division side Santa Clara.

Preece would be the first to admit that he never really won over the Shakers' fans during a campaign in which all the strikers struggled to score goals.

And the relationship between him and the Bury faithful deteriorated so much that manager Neil Warnock felt a transfer was the only answer to the situation and he was subsequently listed at the end of the season.

"The club he has joined are looking for an English-style centre forward and he has nothing to lose by going over there," said the Bury boss. "He is spending a week with them and will just see what the situation is."

As one player looks like leaving the club another is arriving as central defender Paul Challinor has been offered a contract.

The former Birmingham City trainee has impressed since joining the club for pre-season training and the 23-year-old midlander is keen to put pen to paper.

"He's done really well and I feel after losing Sam Collins (shin splints) and Chris Swailes (hamstring) it's important to have another big defender on the books."

Warnock is still looking at more trialists to replace goalkeeper Dean Kiely but has admitted he won't be rushed into a signing.

"Paddy (Kenny) is doing all right but I'd like an experienced keeper at around 26 or 27 years of age alongside him," he added.

The Shakers rounded off last week's West Country tour with a 3-1 victory over Weston-super-Mare on Friday evening.

Goals from Paul Barnes, Ian Lawson and Lutel James did the trick over the Screwfix Direct Western League outfit.

"It was a very tough, physical game and they really had a go at us," said boss Neil Warnock.

"I was just relieved that none of our lads got injured," added the Bury manager."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.