ROCHDALE'S evergreen goalkeeper Neil Edwards could be the Shakers' second new capture of the summer.

The experienced Welshman has admitted on Dale's official website that he has been in talks with Bury boss Graham Barrow about a move down the A58.

Barrow is known to be a big fan of the 34-year-old. Indeed in November 1997, while he was in the Rochdale hotseat, he took Edwards to Spotland for £25,000 from Stockport County.

He is believed to be just one of a number of experienced goalkeepers the Bury chief has been in touch with in recent weeks with a view to giving Craig Dootson some competition for the first team custodian's shirt.

And the former Welsh Under-21 international, who is disappointed with the new deal he has been offered by Rochdale and lost his place in the Dale first team to Matthew Gilks last season, may well fancy a new challenge at Gigg Lane.

Despite being the smallest goalkeeper in League football at five foot nine inches, the Aberdare-born player's agility and alertness quickly made him a crowd favourite with the Spotland faithful and he has twice won the supporters' player-of-the-year award.

He started his career with Leeds United but only made one first team appearance for the Yorkshire side before moving to Edgeley Park for £5,000 in September 1991.

If a move does come off he will face stiff opposition from former Stalybridge Celtic man Dootson, who is set to sign this week and can't wait to get stuck into full-time training once the players re-assemble for the new season on Monday, July 4.

"I'm looking forward to everything about the move and although I'm nervous the idea of the step up doesn't frighten me," he said.

"Obviously it's unchartered territory but plenty of people have told me I can make the grade and it's up to me to prove them right.

"I know it will be a lot harder but I'll be playing with better players and I can't wait to get cracking."

Barrow has told Dootson, currently employed as a youth worker in Bolton, that performances in the club's pre-season friendlies will determine who will start the season between the sticks.

And with some tasty pre-season clashes against the likes of Bolton Wanderers, Preston North End and Bradford City on the cards it's easy to see why the 25-year-old is chomping at the bit.