SHAKERS' sharpshooter David Johnson has moved to Ipswich Town in a deal worth £1.1million.

The 21-year-old travelled to East Anglia at lunch time yesterday and signed just four hours later.

Johnson, who was brought to Gigg Lane on a free transfer from Manchester United, was valued at £1million in a player-plus-cash deal that brings 27-year-old former Doncaster defender Chris Swailes to Bury.

Ipswich sneaked in ahead of Sheffield United and Barnsley in a three-cornered fight for the services of the quicksilver marksman who has bagged eight goals so far this season.

Under the Bosman ruling Johnson could have been a free agent in 14 months time, so the Shakers were anxious to cash in sooner rather than later. Now boss Stan Ternent must intensify his search for attacking replacements.

His side will travel to Oxford tomorrow with only Tony Battersby as a recognised front man.

Just before he left for East Anglia Johnson was talking about a race against the clock to try and get in Jamaica's World Cup squad.

He has been keeping his fingers crossed that his mother country qualifies for summer action in France and a point from Sunday's visit of Mexico will put Jamaica in the last 32 alongside the likes of Brazil and England.

Johnson, 21, admits he will be glued to his television for news of Sunday's result.

Born in Kingston - coincidentally the home of the Jamaican Football Federation - Johnno left the island when he was four years old. His mum and dad are both native Jamaicans.

"I'd love to represent Jamaica in the World Cup, it would be a dream come true," declared Bury's top scorer. "I still have a great deal of affection for Jamaica and I'd certainly be interested in playing for them at international level.

"They have introduced more and more English based players into the team in recent times, I hope they take a look at me before they name their squad."

Portsmouth's Fitzroy Simpson and Paul Hall are both regulars in the team after faxing Jamaica and asking for a trial, while Wimbledon's Robbie Earle and Derby's Deon Burton have also been accumulating caps.

"If I thought it would help, I'd definitely send the authorities a video and press cuttings," admitted Johnson. "You don't get many chances to play on a stage as big as the World Cup finals."

While Johnson begins a new life at Ipswich and ponders performing on the biggest stage in football, Gigg Lane team-mate Dean West would just like to be back playing.

He failed to come through a reserve team game against Scarborough on Wednesday night and may be back to square one after his recent hernia operation. West is scheduled to see a specialist about the problem.

There was better news of on-loan Steve Morgan who reported fit after featuring in the 3-1 defeat by 'Boro. Ronnie Jepson, Tony Rigby and Adrian Randall all played in the game and came through without mishap.

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