TRANSFER-LISTED Peter Swan could be playing First Division football in August - with Lancashire rivals Bury, writes TONY DEWHURST.

The newly-promoted club have made a tentative enquiry about Swan.

Neither Burnley nor Bury officials would comment today, but I understand the wheels could be put in motion when Swan returns from holiday in a fortnight.

I understand a deal could be thrashed out for around £150,000.

It is no secret that the player and manager Adrian Heath have not seen eye to eye since a pre-season dispute marred their relationship a year ago.

Swan was axed from Heath's first team line-up at the start of last season and only returned to the Burnley side in November. The defender was in outstanding form until an Achilles tendon injury left him on the sidelines, forcing him to miss the final two months of last season.

Now, the arrival of Marco Gentile from MVV, is going to increase competition at the heart of the Clarets' central defence, and Heath may decide to release Swan.

Swan was Jimmy Mullen's only major signing in his final season at Turf Moor when the defender signed in a £200,000 deal in August 1995 following a nightmare spell in the West Country.

The link with Bury is an obvious one with Swan having played under Shakers boss Stan Ternent during his spell at Hull City in the late 1980's.

A striker at Boothferry Park, Swan was later converted into a central defender by John Rudge at Port Vale.

The Nationwide League and Premiership fixtures are expected to be released early next week.

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