BURY manager David Flitcroft looks eager to tie up Everton striker Hallam Hope on a longer term deal after enticing him back to the club for a second loan spell.

The 20-year-old Everton striker, who scored five goals in eight games during a brief stint at the JD Stadium last season, signed on Tuesday until January 3.

But now Flitcroft has tempted the England Under-21 international back into the fold following an aborted season-long stay at Sheffield Wednesday, he seems intent on keeping him.

“He’s another signing that’s not just for now, it is for the bigger picture at the club,” said the Bury boss.

“We’ve got Hallam for the medium term and the long term of the football club.

“I want developing assets in the team. I want to work, coach and drill Hallam. He’s got aspirations to play in higher leagues and if it’s with us then we have got to make sure we look after him and teach him the right way.

“It’s something like the Danny Rose situation. It will be exciting to see if he is in the right place – if Everton feel he is in the right place and Hallam wants to be part of it.

“If we can be a stepping stone club we might have a lot to offer Hallam.”

Hope became the fifth player to sign on loan at Bury over the past few weeks.

Fellow Toffees front man Courtney Duffus and Rochdale full-back Tom Kennedy arrived at the end of October, while Bolton Wanderers defender Hayden White and Rotherham goalkeeper Scott Loach made the switch over the past seven days.

Loach, a 26-year-old former Watford, Ipswich and England U21s stopper, made his debut in Tuesday night’s disappointing Johnstone’s Paint Trophy defeat by Tranmere, which ended a run of nine-straight home wins that included Saturday’s 3-1 first round FA Cup victory over Hemel Hempstead Town.

His arrival has pushed Rob Lainton back down to number two and, according to Flitcroft, could prompt the departure of summer signing Shwan Jalal, whose move the manager said had “not worked out”.

Despite the flurry of transfer activity, the Shakers boss said there could yet be one more signing before the loan window closes on November 27 as cover for injuries.

Ryan Lowe will be out for at least another week after undergoing a hernia operation, while Craig Jones faces four weeks out with a torn hamstring.

“We have just got to make sure that Lowey and Joner are on the right track and that we are covering all bases,” added Flitcroft. “But the squad is looking very competitive now so we are in a real good spot.”