BURY'S Asian superstar Bhaichung Bhutia may be set to leave the club at the end of the 2000/2001 season.

According to reports on the Internet, Bhutia is supposed to have said that Bury was not what he expected and that he was ready to move on at the end of next term.

It follows a frustrating season for the striker, who is adored by millions in his home country, but is still virtually an unknown here after failing to make a big impression in his first year in English football.

Bhutia started only six games, scoring two goals, and spent most of the year picking splinters out of his behind on the substitutes bench.

Things were looking up towards the end of the season, when the sale of Ian Lawson to Stockport left an extra striker's space.

Bhutia looked more confident and became the first Asian to score in the Football League when he netted in the 1-1 draw against Chesterfield at Gigg in April.

Bhutia also scored in the final match of the season in the 2-2 draw at Notts County, though he was again substituted this time with 11 minutes to go.

He arrived in Bury in a blaze of publicity after leaving Sikkin, a small province at the foot of the Himalayas, determined to make an impression in England.

It was a gamble because Bhutia was an established and prolific goalscorer in his country, playing in front of 70,000 crowds for his club East Bengal.

He had played for India 40 times and scored an incredible 25 goals and was as popular to Indian children as a film star.

A source close to the club said: "Baichung is doing fine and he has no problems with Bury."

The Shakers are set to send a first team squad to Stainton Park on Tuesday night for a local derby clash with UniBond League side Radcliffe Borough.

It's the first in a series of mouthwatering clashes for the Boro, who entertain a Manchester United XI two days later and then take on a Manchester City side on August 1.