FOOTBALL'S summer merry-go-round may have left some observers feeling dizzy but it's the rumour-mongers who are driving Bury boss Stan Ternent around the bend.

The Shakers' manager reckons he's fed up of being linked with nearly every well-known player that becomes available.

"I can't stop the media speculating, but don't ask me to comment on the rumours," he declared this week. "I have never conducted my business through the newspapers, television or radio and I never will."

Ternent snapped up 23-year-old central defender Brian Linighan from Premier League Sheffield Wednesday this week and will now continue his private search for four or five more additions to his championship winning squad.

Burnley's Peter Swan and Leeds United's John Pemberton have both been linked to Gigg Lane talks but Ternent says he cannot afford either. "People put two and two together because I took Peter to Hull City but the truth is I probably couldn't afford him," reckoned Ternent. "I'm also supposed to be interested in Mark Robins but that's just not the case."

Although he is not saying so Ternent hasn't, however, lost interest in former Tottenham and Crystal Palace ace Andy Gray.

The 33-year-old starred in the Scottish Cup final for Falkirk and if Gray manages to free himself from his contract with The Bairns, Bury fans can confidently expect the Shakers' chief to be in the hunt for his services.

Meanwhile, two of the players released by Bury at the end of last season are close to settling moves.

Mark Carter, Bury's leading scorer in the Division Two championship campaign, has had two lots of talks with Rochdale who look favourites to beat off Macclesfield, Chester and Bournemouth for his services.

Nicky Reid is set to take up a physiotherapy course at Salford University and continue playing part-time under former Man City teammate Kevin Glendon who is boss at UniBond Radcliffe Boro.

"Nicky has been in for a chat and is keen to stay locally," confirmed Glendon this week. "I have made him an offer and I hope he joins us. He would be a great asset."

A third ex-Shaker, Barry Shuttleworth, has signed for Third Division Rotherham United.

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