ALAN Knill has offered new contracts to forward duo Ryan Lowe and Michael Jones.

The Shakers boss is desperate to avoid a repeat of the situation that developed in January when skipper Stephen Dawson, who has since joined Leyton Orient, rejected a new deal and was able to talk to other clubs.

Both Lowe and Jones are key players and their current deals expire next summer – and Knill has moved quickly to try and tie them down.

“We have made both players offers and they are currently thinking them over,” said Knill. “I don’t want a repeat of the Stephen Dawson scenario from last season.

“I think Lowey is happy and settled. To be fair to him, he came to us about signing a new deal.

“He is a big part of the squad – he’s a real leader. In the dressing room he’s a big player and in the dressing room he looks after the players.

“It’s the same with Jonah (Jones). He has done well for us and we want to reward him.

“He came here as a trainee after being released by Tranmere and now he is one of our key players.

“I think he is a really good player and he was outstanding against Hereford on Saturday. He will only get better.”

Knill, who is preparing his team for trips to Cheltenham Town on Saturday and Morecambe on Tuesday evening, believes Bury’s performances should have been rewarded with more points in the opening seven games of the season.

“We have dominated quite a few games and not managed to get the three points,” said Knill. “We probably deserve to be a bit higher in the table.

“But we are just focused on our next game. We were badly hurt and shocked at the manner of our 5-2 defeat at Cheltenham last season.

“I don’t want a repeat of that performance.”

Steven Schumacher is back in contention at the weekend but he will hand late fitness tests to Ben Futcher, Andy Haworth, Andy Bishop and Lenny John-Lewis.

Knill is hopeful they will be fit for the trip to Whaddon Road.