NEILL HARDY starts a two-week trial with Bury on Monday -- and he couldn't be going to Gigg Lane at a better time.

Striker Hardy hit his 20th goal of the season for Radcliffe Borough in their highly impressive 1-0 win over UniBond Division One leaders, Bradford Park Avenue, in West Yorkshire on Wednesday night.

It was Hardy's fifth goal in six games since returning from a knee injury and it was a strike that Boro manager Kevin Glendon described as "absolutely fabulous".

Still only 26, he was set to go for a trial with Nationwide First Division Stockport County before his injury sidelined him for three months.

Glendon said: "I have also been talking with Oldham Athletic boss Andy Ritchie with a view to Neill going for a trial there as well. Neill's goal at Bradford was an absolutely fabulous goal and he is different class."

If the right bid comes in -- and he is unlikely to be allowed to leave Stainton Park for much less than £10,000 -- Glendon and the Boro board will sanction a move.

Meanwhile Shakers central defender Sam Collins may need surgery to cure the troubling achilles injury that has reduced him to a spectator.

The big Yorkshireman hasn't tasted first team action since limping off against Notts County two weeks ago.

His ankle problem has been slow to respond to treatment and Shakers boss Andy Preece is keen for him to get sorted out in readiness for the pre-season.

"We'll have to see how he goes on but if he needs an operation then so be it," he said. "We want to give Sam every chance to get ready for next season and don't want him hanging on so that is what we will do."

Also a major doubt for tomorrow's visit of Bristol City is star striker Jon Newby who hasn't recovered sufficiently from an ankle knock and Preece will not risk him if not fully fit.

Central defender Steve Redmond is also missing - and won't be available until the final match of the season at Brentford. He is starting the first of a five match ban (he was already in line for two but picked up another three following his dismissal at Oldham last week) and Danny Swailes is likely to take his place.

Bristol's leading goalscorer Tony Thorpe will be missing tomorrow, suspended after being sent off in a recent match against Millwall.