BURY boss Chris Brass has moved to bolster his backline, signing Irish international goalkeeper Joe Murphy and extending the deal of current stopper Rob Lainton.

Murphy, aged 34, has joined the Shakers on loan from Championship side Huddersfield Town until the end of the season, while Lainton, aged 27, has also signed on for the remainder of the campaign.

Dublin-born Murphy has two caps for the Republic of Ireland and more than 450 league appearances under his belt, the majority of which came in spells at Scunthorpe and Coventry.

Brass has worked hard on shoring up the defence since taking on the role of head coach in December, also signing young defenders Taylor Moore and Cameron Burgess on loan.

His first move, however, was to hand a shock recall to ex-Wanderer Lainton, who was released in the summer by previous manager David Flitcroft after a three-year spell at Gigg Lane.

Lainton kept a clean sheet on his first match back in the team - a 0-0 draw at Fleetwood Town on Boxing Day.

But Bury have conceded 10 goals in his five appearances since then, and continue to have the worst defensive record in League One, with 58 goals conceded in their 29 matches.

While Lainton is expected to retain the number one jersey, it is understood Murphy will provide genuine competition, ahead of current reserve stoppers Ben Williams and Paul Rachubka.