NEILL HARDY could be set to win a contract with Bury. The Radcliffe Borough striker has been on trial with the Gigg Lane club and was due to play in a final reserve team trial this afternoon.

Hardy, who has hit 21 goals for Radcliffe Borough this season despite being out for three months with a knee injury, has done well during his time with the Shakers, no more so than when he scored the winner and set up Bury's other goal in their 2-1 win over Doncaster at Gigg Lane last Thursday that saw them clinch the Avon Insurance Division Two league title.

Hardy was due to turn out for the Shakers' second string at Notts County this afternoon, but was hoping for a decision on his future soon after that.

Civil engineer Hardy has been given time off work by his employers during his period on trial at Gigg Lane, but they want him back at work on Monday.

And 26-year-old Hardy is putting them first. "I have enjoyed my spell at Bury and it would be great if something came of it," he said, "but if nothing does I don't want to be left without a job at the end of it all."

Hardy was picked up by Boro boss Kevin Glendon from Conference outfit Morecambe last summer. He has also had experience with Altrincham and Northwich Victoria at the top of the non-league ladder and went on trial to First Division Stockport County earlier this season, only to be laid low by injury.

The game at Meadow Lane will be Hardy's fourth appearance for Bury reserves, having played in games against Chesterfield, Stoke and Doncaster. Bury player-manager Andy Preece was keen to keep Hardy on trial until the end of the season and said: "Neill worked hard throughout the game against Doncaster. He took his goal ever so well. It was a great header.

"I've got to have a word with him, but Neill has done well in his games for us and we would have liked to have kept him for another couple of weeks.

"Kevin Glendon and his chairman Bernard Manning Junior, have been here watching Neill, along with our chairman Terry Robinson.

"Kevin and Bernard were no doubt keeping an eye on their investment, making sure no harm came to him," joked Preece.

Glendon is at pains to stress that he doesn't WANT to sell Hardy, but as with striker Paul Mullin and midfield man Simon Carden, who were sold to Accrington Stanley earlier in the season, if a bid comes in for any of his players he has got to consider it.

The feeling is that Bury would like to take Hardy permanently, but, like Boro and a lot of other clubs, the problem comes down to cash.

Glendon would be looking for somewhere in the region of £10,000 for Hardy, but no doubt the clubs are working on some sort of compromise deal, bearing in mind their links, with Bury's reserves playing some of their games at Stainton Park.

Meanwhile, another of Boro's players could be set to leave Stainton Park.

Veteran striker Mark Carter has been keen to get back into management since leaving the hot seat at Runcorn and the former Bury hitman has been linked with the vacancies at Altrincham and Witton.