PRESTON have confirmed that 20-year-old striker Joe O'Neill is joining Bury on loan.

O'Neill, a regular scorer for the reserves who recently agreed a two-year deal with Preston, will start a 12-month spell at Gigg Lane on July 1.

He missed the latter part of last season after undergoing an Achilles operation, but is now fully fit and will join up with Andy Preece's squad when they return to pre-season training.