BURY will not be rushed into recruiting cover for Keil O’Brien despite the defender facing up to two months on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Manager David Flitcroft confirmed today that the 22-year-old centre-back had undergone an operation to repair a “slight tear” of his medial cartilage.

The Shakers boss said the summer signing from Chorley, who is yet to make his full debut for Bury after being an unused substitute in five of their first seven matches of the season, should be back training within three weeks and faces another six weeks to regain match fitness.

But despite hinting after Saturday’s 0-0 draw at Wycombe that he could dip into the loan market to boost his defensive options, Flitcroft said he would wait until after Saturday’s trip to Carlisle before making any decisions.

“There are youth loans we can dip into and that is a situation we might explore,” he said.

“We’ve got a couple of options but at the minute we have not had to move on it.

“We wanted to see the diagnosis on Keil. It was only yesterday that he’s got the notification it needed an operation. I didn’t want to move on it before that.”

Another reason for the Bury manager’s delay in making his move in the loan market is the fitness concerns hanging over strikers Danny Nardiello and Clive Platt.

Flitcroft confirmed yesterday that Nardiello had responded well to an injection to clear up a groin injury and should be available for selection on Saturday.

Platt is also nearing a return following the summer out with a calf problem. He played in a behind-closed-doors match against Manchester United at Carrington on Tuesday, which Bury lost 4-2 following a double from Danny Rose.

“We will know more after Saturday’s game, depending on how Nards and Platty come through this week,” said Flitcroft.

“We worked hard over the summer to build up a well-balanced squad that will allow us to play a number of different systems, so there is no need to rush in.

“We are in a good place, so we need to make sure if we are going to bring in someone then they are of the right calibre.

“We have got a strategy meeting next week with the whole team, so we will plan then and see what’s about.”