THE Shakers parlous financial position looks like being given a massive lift thanks to a £380,000 windfall.

That's the sum that will be winging it's way to Gigg Lane sometime in the next two weeks after Premiership high-flyers Ipswich Town sold former Bury striker David Johnson to First Division Nottingham Forest.

Shakers chairman Terry Robinson cannily put in a clause that said the East Anglian side would have to hand over 20 per cent of any difference over the £1.1 million deal for the former Manchester United youngster.

That works out at £380,000 and it couldn't have come at a better time for the cash-strapped club.

"It's come at a really opportune moment for us," said Mr Robinson. "It's absolutely superb for the club and will go a long way towards keeping us afloat until the re-organisation takes place."

Johnson started like a house on fire when he first joined Ipswich, scoring the goals - all 23 of them - which helped propel the Tractor Boys into the Premiership.

But with the arrival of Marcus Stewart he struggled to make a mark this year and has publicly stated his desire to join a new club, with Manchester City top of his list.

The 24-year-old was travelling to Nottingham last night to discuss personal details with Forest boss David Platt and unless any last-minute hitches crop up his transfer should go through today.

The striker, who joined Bury from Manchester United on a free transfer in 1995, was a huge crowd favourite during his time at Gigg.

He left for Ipswich in November 1997 for a fee of £800,000 which included central defender Chris Swailes moving in the opposite direction.

But Mr Robinson pointed out that the Johnson deal isn't the only one that could net the club some welcome cash in the future.

"There are a number of other players who we stand to make money from in sell on clauses going back to when we sold Michael Jackson to Preston.

"Chris Lucketti, Paul Butler, Ian Hughes and three or four youngsters who have moved to Premiership clubs could still come up trumps for us."

On the field the Shakers take on Northampton Town at Sixfields tomorrow buoyed by their triumph over Kidderminster Harriers in the LDV Vans Trophy on Wednesday night.

Manager Andy Preece has some serious thinking to do after ringing the changes against Jan Molby's team.

Only four of the side that slumped against Cambridge United at Gigg Lane on Saturday turned out against Kidderminster and the boss admits he has a real job on his hands before 3pm tomorrow.

"I have some tough decision to make - but that's brilliant!" he said. "We have plenty of options and plenty of people knocking on the first team door.

"A lot aren't going to be happy about being left out of the team but that's how it should be."

Preece welcomes back midfielder Jason Jarrett after his one game suspension but whether he will dislodge Indian international Baichung Bhutia is a different matter.

Darren Bullock pulled his thigh in yesterday's 2-1 reserve team defeat at Macclesfield and is a major doubt.