PAUL Gascoigne doesn't scare Lenny Johnrose.

In fact Bury's combative midfielder is relishing his ultimate personal duel when the Shakers travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday week.

"When I heard Middlesbrough were in for him I was praying he would sign for them," revealed Johnrose, one of four senior stars to sign new three-year contracts to stay at Gigg Lane.

And if England's most gifted star thinks he will have it easy against a man who has played most of his football in the lower divisions, he might want to heed a word of advice from his boss.

Riverside manager Bryan Robson was lavish in his praise of Johnrose's performance when the teams met at Gigg Lane.

And the 28-year-old Gigg Lane ace is aiming to reproduce a stunning show which saw him extinguish the threat of Brazilian Emerson.

"Emerson was the strongest player I have ever played against and I was very pleased with my performance that day even though we lost," recalled Johnrose. "I'm expecting much of the same against Gascoigne although he's more of a flair player. I believe that if I can play as well as I did against Emerson I should do alright against him.

"It's a great challenge for me. From the moment I heard they had agreed a fee I was thinking about playing against him.

"If you don't fancy coming up against players of his quality then you shouldn't be in the game.

"I'm not too worried about the challenge from a fitness point of view but I know I'll have to stick as close as I can to him because if you let him out of your sight for a second he can destroy you.

"But I can't think too far ahead just yet because we've got just as important a match against Huddersfield on Saturday."

Johnrose's commitment to Bury's future was matched by Rob Matthews, Nick Daws and Gordon Armstrong who have also pledged their future for the next three years.

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