LEIGH RMI may have been praying for Conference survival over the past few seasons but rarely have they relied on a Bishop to answer their calls.

Ian Bishop - with stints at Manchester City, Everton and West Ham under his belt - looks set to move to Hilton Park at the ripe old age of 37 this week as Steve Waywell attempts to add some experience to his youthful side.

The midfielder has over 500 League appearances to his name and only left Maine Road two years ago, but should take the field for the Railwaymen in their friendly with Bury at Hilton Park tonight and the club hope to complete negotiations as soon as possible.

Bishop might be the man to get things ticking at the heart of the midfield but Leigh have been lacklustre in front of goal to date in the friendlies and they could call on another veteran in an attempt to solve that mini-crisis.

Tony Ellis started his career at Grundy Hill as an Horwich RMI player almost two decades ago, and after a league career of 16 years himself, he is another player targeted by the Conference club.

Despite being a former Shaker, Ellis will not take the field against his ex-club tonight but will enter talks over the coming days.

Steve Waywell has also revealed that he hopes to sign impressive forward Ged Courtenay and midfielder Phil Salt ahead of the new season. Both will be on show for tonight's game, which is one of just two home games for RMI this summer.