SIMON Johnson is confident he can become an integral part of the Shakers team — and earn an extended stay into the bargain.

The 26-year-old, who was released by Hereford in April, has been awarded a three-month contract at Gigg Lane by manager Alan Knill.

The Bury manager believes Johnson can be a real force in League Two and the winger hopes to repay that faith with some barnstorming performances.

“I’m grateful to the manager for giving me a chance and three months is enough for me to show what I can do,” said Johnson. “I’m capable of playing at this level and I think a fit and confident Simon Johnson can do very well.

“I can only look at myself as an individual and I have to effect games when I come on. I have to work as hard as I can and give the gaffer a bit of a dilemma.

“It’s going to be tough work getting into the team because there is a lot of quality in front of me but all I can do is give 100 per cent.”

Injuries and a lack of confidence have hampered Johnson’s progress after he was tipped for big things as a youngster at Leeds United.

Knill believes he has all the attributes to play at a higher level than League Two, but first the West Bromwich-born ace has to get his career back on track.

“I have played at this level quite a bit and my level of consistency hasn’t been very good,” admitted Johnson. “That has been an issue with a lot of people and it has been down to my fitness.

“That’s what I am working hard on, and I am doing extra work after training to try and sort that out.

“I said from day one I need somebody like the gaffer to give me a kick up the backside. He mentioned to me that I have been in something of a comfort zone and maybe I have been without actually realising it.

“I have held my hands up and admitted it and it’s all down to me to work hard and carry on.

“I was tipped for big things when I was younger, but it didn’t work out for me and I felt quite hard done by.

“But you realise when you get older that it’s happening to a lot of players. I didn’t cope with that very well and I have to deal with it now.”

Johnson made his debut as a late substitute in Saturday’s shock 3-0 defeat against Bournemouth, but he believes he has seen enough in the dressing room to suggest that will only be a blip.

“It was a disappointing result because you want to get off to the best start possible,” said Johnson. “But you have to take the positives and move on.

“The manager is realistic and I think the level of expectation took its toll. The club is expected to win games but I’m sure with the team spirit in the dressing room we will put things right.

“It was the first game of 46 and you can’t read too much into it. I think the lads will get much stronger as the season goes on.”