RICHIE Barker believes Bury now have what it takes to be competitive in League One after announcing a hat-trick of new signings.

The Shakers returned for the first day of pre-season yesterday with a first-team squad of 19 after strengthening in three key areas.

Former Doncaster Rovers defender Adam Lockwood has been brought in on a two-year deal to add experience at centre-back, while promising midfielder Marcus Marshall arrives from Rotherham with a point to prove after initially signing for 12 months.

And striker Lateef Elford-Alliyu returns to the club on a one year contract after impressing during a loan spell at Gigg Lane last season.

With former Sunderland goalkeeper Trevor Carson signing up earlier in the close season, the Shakers boss believes he has now filled the gaps left by departing loan players.

Yet Barker has not ruled out dipping into the market again.

“I’m happy with what we have at the club now, in terms of competition for places, but I’m always looking to add more quality if it becomes available at the right price,” said Barker.

After missing out on Nathan Clarke, Barker was keen to bring in an old head to strengthen the defence and Lockwood certainly fits the bill.

The 30-year-old defender will be able to slot straight in alongside either Efe Sodje or Mark Hughes at the heart of the defence after dropping down from the Championship following six years and 152 appearances for Doncaster.

In midfield, Blackburn youth product Marshall, aged 22, is in the same mould as David Amoo, offering the same kind of athleticism and goal threat from the wings. He lost his way at Rotherham last season after being played out of position at full-back and is expected to provide competition to David Worrall and Luke McCarthy in the wide areas.

Elford-Alliyu, aged 20, can also fill in on the flanks, but Barker is keen to utilise the former West Brom striker up front, after he weighed in with two important goals at the end of last season.

Mike Grella and Giles Coke are the only loan players from last season Bury have not yet replaced, although Barker believes current members of the squad can fill their boots.

“I expect Max Harrop to step up this season to provide competition in centre midfield,” he said.

“And Mark Carrington did not really have a pre-season with us last year so I expect him to play a much more prominent role.

“Up front, Lateef is a similar sort of player to Mike Grella and there may be an opportunity for somebody else to step up.”