NEW Bury manager Paul Wilkinson has been running the rule over a host of trialists as he bids to put a side together for the start of their pre-season schedule.

After being appointed as Ryan Lowe’s successor last week, one of Wilkinson’s first tasks is to rebuild the Shakers’ squad in time for the club’s return to League One.

Both the playing and coaching staff that won promotion from League Two last term have been decimated due to uncertainty over the club’s future.

Several out-of-contract players have therefore been training at Carrington this week ahead of Wilkinson’s first game in charge on

Saturday.

The Shakers are due to visit non-league Nantwich Town, who finished fourth in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, for their first pre-season

friendly (3pm).

But is unclear what the make-up of Wilkinson’s squad will be, with the club having not announced a retained list or any new signings. Danny Mayor and Jay O’Shea have both moved on after their contracts expired while goalkeeper Joe Murphy, the other Bury player to be named in the League Two team of the year, signed for Shrewsbury last Thursday.

Top scorer Nicky Maynard (Mansfield) and Chris Stokes (Stevenage) also left last week, while Will Aimson has followed Mayor and manager Lowe to Plymouth.

All made a significant contribution to last season’s promotion success but none of their departures have been acknowledged by the club.

Due to the well-documented financial problems, Gigg Lane has been operating with limited staff but Blackburn will visit Gigg Lane on Wednesday, July 24 (7.45pm) before the Shakers visit Radcliffe on Tuesday, July 30 (7.30pm).

Bury’s derby with Bolton has been moved back a day to Sunday, September 8 (12pm), so that it can be shown live on Sky Sports.

The draw for the EFL Trophy group stage has also been made, with Bury to face EFL new boys Salford City, Tranmere and one of the invited teams from the

Premier League.