ATHLETIC'S hopes of signing Ian Lawson collapsed in a heap today when Bury chairman Terry Robinson slammed their offer as "derisory". The outspoken Mr Robinson said his 22-year-old striker could leave if the price was right. But that price is at least £100,000 and Athletic chief David Brierley confirmed this morning that the Boundary Park club will not be matching Bury's demands.

The bid for Lawson, who joined Bury on a free transfer during the close season, was around £60,000. Athletic tried to sign him before he made the switch from Huddersfield and, with an eye on their neighbours' financial troubles, moved in again this week. But Mr Robinson said: "All our players are available, probably like Oldham's, if someone makes a realistic offer. "Oldham haven't done that. In fact, it was derisory. We have already had a bid of £150,000, plus £100,000 in extras, and the player refused to go there. "There are also offers of over £75,000 from clubs in the third division." Although Lawson is the 10-goal leading scorer at Gigg Lane, Athletic's chairman insisted he would not be held to ransom. Said Mr Brierley: "It's not a question of what we can afford, more a matter of what we are willing to pay for a particular player.

"It would have been nice to add Lawson to the squad, but we will not be offering any more than we already have. "If someone else comes along and we are interested, we will have another look at the situation. "There are no other players in mind at the moment and I'm quite confident in the strikeforce we already have at the club." Lawson had been a top target for Athletic manager Andy Ritchie, who will now resume his search for extra firepower. In the meantime, Mark Allott and Steve Whitehall can expect to keep their places for the visit of Scunthorpe United on Boxing Day (kick-off 3pm). The dreaded flu bug has swept through Boundary Park, claiming Ritchie as one of its victims. But there are no reports of the players being badly hit and — other than the suspended Mark Hotte — the team which won at Cambridge last weekend is likely to be back in action on Sunday.

'MAN' IN THE NEWS
Emmanuel Omoyinmi trained at Glanford Park for the first time yesterday but was still unable to shake off the intense media spotlight that has dogged him all week. After seven days to forget, the 21-year-old West Ham striker was just happy to be involved in the build-up to Scunthorpe United's Boxing Day trip to Boundary Park, after joining the Iron on a month's loan. The Nigerian-born youngster found himself at the centre of the controversy raging over the Upton Park club's Worthington Cup 'win' over Aston Villa last Wednesday, after coming on as a late substitute. Omoyinmi was ineligible to play for the Hammers, having already appeared for Gillingham in the competition while on loan at the Priestfield Stadium. The London club were later ordered to replay the quarter-final tie, leaving Omoyinmi to face the brunt of the criticism from angry fans and the tabloid press. He met up with his new team-mates for training at Glanford Park yesterday and, after dodging the unwanted attention from waiting national TV crews, said he just wanted to concentrate on his football again. "I am just here to play football and work hard for the team," he said. "I want to get my head down and work hard and I hope I can score a few goals for Scunthorpe. "The gaffer just told me to enjoy myself here and play my football and just get on with things really and that is what I am going to do. "My first impressions of the place are that I am very impressed — it is a great ground, I was not expecting anything like this so I am obviously happy to be here." Omoyinmi was re-united with former Hammers team-mate Lee Hodges on his arrival at Glanford Park. And the new man said the pair are capable of resuming a deadly combination that can help pull struggling United away from the wrong end of the second division. "I know the club are near the bottom of the league but I also know they have been higher this season," he said. "Hopefully I can help Scunthorpe get back into mid-table, if not up to the promotion places. I knew Brian Laws was interested in me because Lee (Hodges) had been ringing me and letting me know what was happening. "We grew up in the same area and played in the same district team, and played together for England under 15s — we have been together a long time and I enjoy playing with him." Laws had been chasing his man for a few weeks but Hammers boss Harry Redknapp only released Omoyinmi after the cup fiasco engulfed Upton Park. Redknapp has told Laws that Omoyinmi could be available to stay at Glanford Park for longer than the initial one month but yesterday, the player said he would have to wait and see. "I would like to see how the first month goes before I make any decision about anything like that," he said. Omoyinmi, Laws' fifth loan signing of the season, will be thrust straight back into the limelight with a debut for the Iron at Oldham on Sunday. But after a productive first training session yesterday, he said he will be more than ready to get on with matters on the pitch. "I enjoy playing as a striker but I can also play on the right hand side," said Omoyinmi. "I can play with anybody. I like to play with a big centre-forward and Guy (Ipoua) is obviously a big man so I am sure we can do well together. "The first training session went well — I had a talk and a laugh with the lads and I am enjoying being involved again and I am enjoying playing again." Omoyinmi made a big impression at Gillingham during his loan spell earlier in the season. He struck up an instant understanding with Robert Taylor — who has since completed a big money move to Manchester City — scoring three times in nine games. "I loved my time there," he added. "I played up front with Bob and I really enjoyed myself. I hope I can achieve the same sort of thing here." After witnessing five defeats in the last six games, United fans will be hoping the new man can make a similar impression at Glanford Park.

'MAN' IN THE NEWS

Emmanuel Omoyinmi trained at Glanford Park for the first time yesterday but was still unable to shake off the intense media spotlight that has dogged him all week. After seven days to forget, the 21-year-old West Ham striker was just happy to be involved in the build-up to Scunthorpe United's Boxing Day trip to Boundary Park, after joining the Iron on a month's loan. The Nigerian-born youngster found himself at the centre of the controversy raging over the Upton Park club's Worthington Cup 'win' over Aston Villa last Wednesday, after coming on as a late substitute. Omoyinmi was ineligible to play for the Hammers, having already appeared for Gillingham in the competition while on loan at the Priestfield Stadium. The London club were later ordered to replay the quarter-final tie, leaving Omoyinmi to face the brunt of the criticism from angry fans and the tabloid press. He met up with his new team-mates for training at Glanford Park yesterday and, after dodging the unwanted attention from waiting national TV crews, said he just wanted to concentrate on his football again. "I am just here to play football and work hard for the team," he said.

"I want to get my head down and work hard and I hope I can score a few goals for Scunthorpe. "The gaffer just told me to enjoy myself here and play my football and just get on with things really and that is what I am going to do. "My first impressions of the place are that I am very impressed — it is a great ground, I was not expecting anything like this so I am obviously happy to be here." Omoyinmi was re-united with former Hammers team-mate Lee Hodges on his arrival at Glanford Park. And the new man said the pair are capable of resuming a deadly combination that can help pull struggling United away from the wrong end of the second division. "I know the club are near the bottom of the league but I also know they have been higher this season," he said. "Hopefully I can help Scunthorpe get back into mid-table, if not up to the promotion places. I knew Brian Laws was interested in me because Lee (Hodges) had been ringing me and letting me know what was happening. "We grew up in the same area and played in the same district team, and played together for England under 15s — we have been together a long time and I enjoy playing with him." Laws had been chasing his man for a few weeks but Hammers boss Harry Redknapp only released Omoyinmi after the cup fiasco engulfed Upton Park.

Redknapp has told Laws that Omoyinmi could be available to stay at Glanford Park for longer than the initial one month but yesterday, the player said he would have to wait and see. "I would like to see how the first month goes before I make any decision about anything like that," he said. Omoyinmi, Laws' fifth loan signing of the season, will be thrust straight back into the limelight with a debut for the Iron at Oldham on Sunday. But after a productive first training session yesterday, he said he will be more than ready to get on with matters on the pitch. "I enjoy playing as a striker but I can also play on the right hand side," said Omoyinmi. "I can play with anybody. I like to play with a big centre-forward and Guy (Ipoua) is obviously a big man so I am sure we can do well together. "The first training session went well — I had a talk and a laugh with the lads and I am enjoying being involved again and I am enjoying playing again." Omoyinmi made a big impression at Gillingham during his loan spell earlier in the season. He struck up an instant understanding with Robert Taylor — who has since completed a big money move to Manchester City — scoring three times in nine games. "I loved my time there," he added. "I played up front with Bob and I really enjoyed myself. I hope I can achieve the same sort of thing here." After witnessing five defeats in the last six games, United fans will be hoping the new man can make a similar impression at Glanford Park.