THE loan window reopens this week and while Bury manager David Flitcroft will be looking at making a short-term gain with two defensive signings, he will also have one eye on a long-term aim.

The Shakers boss would like to add a centre-back and left-sided wing-back to complete his squad before the run-in, with Nathan Cameron and one other squad member possibly loaned out to create space.

But Flitcroft is hoping any new arrivals could be convinced to extend their stay once they have sampled life at the JD Stadium.

“We are looking at the short-term, but if we get someone in on loan then they can have a good look at us,” he said.

“If they come and see us and what we are about and not just look at the league table, they might want to come and join this ride and that’s what we will be looking at for potential loan signings.”

The Bury manager was pipped to two potential permanent signings on deadline day by clubs from a higher division.

And it is clear he rates his chances of pulling off another transfer coup higher if he can first tempt players to the club on short-term contracts.

That ploy worked on Daniel Nardiello, who swapped a loan deal for an 18-month contract last week after being released by League One Rotherham United.

It looks like Championship defender Frederic Veseli is next on the manager’s radar.

The Ipswich player’s month-long loan deal was extended to February 22 on transfer deadline day, with Flitcroft keen on convincing the 21-year-old former Manchester United trainee to stay until the end of the season.

“The first month of a loan is always difficult because he is sussing us out and we are sussing him out and the fit has got to be right,” he said.

“One important question was did Freddie want to stay? And he was desperate to be a part of this.

“His latest deal will take us up to the 93 days, which is the maximum we can get him for (on loan), so, all being well, that should take us up to the end of the season.”

Bury’s form under Flitcroft could also be a key bargaining tool in the loan market.

The Shakers stretched their unbeaten home record to nine matches with last Saturday’s victory over Wycombe and a draw against promotion hopefuls Oxford United on Tuesday night.

Those four points saw Bury move up to 17th in the table – three points above the drop zone.

They now face two key away games – against second-bottom Torquay on Saturday and at 20th-placed Mansfield next Tuesday.

“We are delighted with where we are at, but two back-to-back wins would really propel us up the league and start putting pressure on teams above us,” he said.

Nardiello should be available for selection after recovering from a hamstring injury to play 40 minutes on Tuesday night, while winger Danny Mayor returns from suspension.