BURY enjoyed a rare Tuesday night off after starting the season with four straight midweek games, but while the players were given a break manager David Flitcroft and his staff have been busy searching for new talent.

They did not have to go far to find it during the international break, with England Under-21s playing USA at Preston and Gigg Lane hosting two matches for the Qatar U23s.

The Middle Eastern country were beaten 4-1 by the Republic of Ireland U21s on Friday night and lost 2-0 against the USA U23s on Tuesday.

Flitcroft admits that while he enjoyed the chance to watch England at Deepdale, the Republic of Ireland’s run-out at Gigg Lane represented a more realistic scouting opportunity.

“It gave me a great chance to look at some of the Irish boys at Watford and Reading, where we have got decent links with coaching staff there,” he said, referring to 21-year-old Hornets centre-back Thomas Hoban, and Royals full-backs Shane Griffin, also 21, and Sean Long, 20.

“We also watched the (England U21s) game on Thursday night at Preston.

“It’s been good to cast our eyes over the future academy players.

“I saw a lot that I liked from both games.

“The Irish game was probably more equivalent to where we could be and who we could be in the market for.

“It was certainly a good scouting tool for us.

“You don’t stop looking – recruitment is an ongoing thing.”

Bury had a contingent present from the coaching staff and boardroom for both games, while the Shakers players were given the opportunity to put their feet up.

Flitcroft confirmed those who featured in the majority of the club’s opening nine games of the campaign were given Monday off training.

“We’ve been flat out, with these Saturday-Tuesday games, but my staff have tried hard to make sure everyone in the squad is getting fitter and stronger with game time and training time,” he added.

“Probably 70 or 80 per cent of the team, the lads who have had the most game time, had Monday off.

“They have deserved that. They just needed some time, mentally, to get away, spend some time with the family before rebooting with a double session on Tuesday!”