BURY manager David Flitcroft says he is not worried about his side’s lengthy injury list but admits he is on the lookout for defensive cover.

Seven first-team players were unavailable for selection for Tuesday night’s 1-1 draw at home to Blackburn Rovers.

But while the Shakers boss assured fans the majority of those were due to “niggles”, he remains concerned about centre-back Keil O’Brien’s on-going knee problems.

The 23-year-old defender signed from Chorley last summer but has only made one appearance after damaging knee ligaments early in the campaign.

He played 78 minutes of Bury’s second-round FA Cup defeat at Luton but was largely on the periphery of the squad, behind the likes of Jim McNulty, Pablo Mills and loan signing Adam El-Abd in the pecking order.

Flitcroft signed experienced centre-back Peter Clarke in the summer to partner Nathan Cameron at the heart of the defence, but after letting McNulty and Mills go he was hoping O’Brien would play a more prominent role.

“Centre-back is an area we are looking at, for sure,” admitted the Bury boss.

“We let Pablo and Nults go knowing we had Keil as back-up, so we had three challenging for two places.

“But Keil has had this knee injury that we are trying to get to the bottom of and we are still not there.

“We have had some tests on him and are waiting for the results, so that is something we are looking at.

“So it’s an area that I know we might need an extra player in, but it is something we are keeping abreast of.”

El-Abd remains a viable option, either as short-term cover or on a long-term deal after his parent club Bristol City put the former Brighton defender up for transfer.

But it is not clear if City would be willing to offer him up for another loan if the 30-year-old prefers not to move his family up north.

Flitcroft has fewer headaches in attack and midfield, despite the fact Kelvin Etuhu, Danny Mayor, Jacob Mellis, Andrew Tutte, Ryan Lowe and Danny Nardiello are all carrying injuries.

The Shakers boss said they were all suffering from minor knocks and the majority could be back in contention for Saturday’s final pre-season friendly at home to Preston.

“We always look for improvement. We always look for different players,” added Flitcroft.

“The four or five injuries we have collected have not been a worry because they have not been long term – they have been niggles.

“I want the squad to be around about 20 to 22 and we are not far off that.

“We have gone for real quality this season as opposed to quantity.”

Bury released an official squad list this week, with 21 players given shirt numbers.

Full squad list: 1. Christian Walton, 2. Joe Riley, 3. Chris Hussey, 4. Andrew Tutte, 5. Peter Clarke, 6. Kelvin Etuhu, 7. Hallam Hope, 8. Jacob Mellis, 9. Leon Clarke, 10. Danny Mayor, 11. Tom Pope, 12. Craig Jones, 14. Chris Sedgwick, 15. Ryan Lowe, 16. Keil O’Brien, 17. Danny Nardiello, 19. Tom Soares, 22. Danny Pugh, 26. Rob Lainton, 27. Nathan Cameron, 32. Danny Rose.