David Artell understands the threat Nicky Maynard will offer his defence after seeing him up, close and personal during the summer.

Our former Academy graduate trained with us over the summer to work on his fitness levels following his release from Aberdeen and now the 31-year-old forward could come back to haunt us at the weekend after signing a short-term deal with Bury.

Maynard graduated through the Academy ranks at Crewe Alexandra to go on to score 35 goals in just 67 appearances before securing a £2.25 million move to Bristol City in the summer of 2008. The prolific hit-man went on to enjoy a superb career, representing the likes of West Ham United, Cardiff City and MK Dons and he announced his arrival at Gigg Lane with two superb finishes against Mansfield Town on Saturday. His acrobatic first goal is certain to be a goal-of-the-season contender.

Artell said of the potential Maynard threat: “Nicky asked if he could come in over the summer to keep himself fit and sharp and he was welcome to do that. We have done that with a number of our former players over the years.

“He was a terrific servant for the club and we wished him well when he left in the summer.

The boss joked: “If he scores on Saturday, it will be a bugger off next pre-season he is asks mind you.

“We prepare for any team the same. We know about Nicky, Chris Dagnall and Byron Moore but we knew about Akinde and McCartan last week. We do our preparation on opposition players every week, so it makes no difference really that those three were here in the past. “