BURY'S hopes of landing their dream striker partnership have evaporated with the news that Colin Cramb has signed for Dutch club Fortuna Sittard.

Cramb, on loan from Crewe Alexandra last season, formed a devastating partnership with Jon Newby and hopes were high of landing the volatile Scottish striker during the summer.

However, the uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the Shakers put any deal on the back boiler and when Cramb came to an agreement with the First Division side to waiver his contract and become a free agent he was quick to pledge his future to the Dutchmen.

The news is bound to be a massive disappointment for Shakers fans who took Cramb to their hearts last term. But a lucrative four year deal with Fortuna swung it for the striker who probably felt he needed to sort out his future sooner rather than later.

Frustrated boss Andy Preece could now turn his attention to Stockport striker Ian Lawson who would relish a return to Gigg Lane following a torrid time at Edgeley Park while Stoke City striker Dean Crowe, another former loan success, has recently be freed and could also be in the frame.

Rumour also persist that Blackpool's former York City midfielder Steve Bushell could be on his way to Gigg Lane.

A goalscoring midfielder, Bushell could fill a gap created should skipper Nick Daws decide to leave the Shakers after a nine year spell.

Daws has had talks with Rotherham United boss Ronnie Moore and is expected to make a decision on his future in the next few days.