BURY'S on-loan signing Harpal Singh has been tipped to become ''the first Asian to play for England.''

Former Leeds United boss George Graham is also reported to have said of the 20-year-old winger: ''Liverpool may have Michael Owen but we have Harpal Singh.''

And while that is clearly overstating Singh's ability, it shows the high regard in which he's held at Elland Road.

Now, he's arrived at Gigg Lane in order to further his soccer education. And there have been signs in his first couple of games that Singh could live up to the hype.

He teased and tormented Wrexham when coming on as a second-half substitute. And he was equally effective against Bournemouth in last Saturday's 3-2 defeat.

The Pudsey-born winger is not short on confidence.

''I'm really enjoying it at Bury so far,'' says Singh, whose precocious talent hasn't yet been seen in the Leeds first team.

Excitement

''I think I can do well here. I believe I can bring some excitement to the team, create chances for my team-mates and maybe score a few goals myself.''

Singh admits his move to Bury caught him by surprise, saying: ''I was training one morning when Eddie Gray and Roy Aitken asked me whether I fancied going out on loan to gain some experience.

''I had no objections because I need to play first-team football. And the next thing I knew they told me I was coming to Bury.''

Singh joined Leeds as a 10-year-old and progressed through the Academy ranks into the reserve side. He was also a member of the FA Youth Cup side that reached the semi-finals several years ago.

''It's a bit early to say where my future lies,'' he says.''Maybe the loan could be extended, but we'll have to wait and see.''

Shakers boss Andy Preece has been impressed by the new boy's performances so far, saying: ''He crosses a great ball and is a livewire. I'm not sure whether we'd be able to keep him even though he would be a useful acquisition."

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