DAVID Flitcroft paid tribute to his players on their impressive start to the season.

But the Shakers boss dismissed talk of play-offs as premature.

Sixth-placed Bury are one of the form teams in the league with nine points from their last three games and boasting the division's joint leading goals tally alongside today's opponents Coventry City.

The Gigg Lane men are three points behind the fourth-placed Sky Blues and playing with an attacking zeal and a new-found defensive steel shown in recent victories at title challengers Walsall and Sheffield United.

“I’m looking at the start we have had – we have been beaten once all season (in the league) and been beaten by a Premiership team in the (Capital One) Cup,” said Flitcroft.

“That’s 15 goals we have scored (in League One) – the highest scorers in the league.

“So in our first 11 games, including the cup games, these boys are having an incredible go for this football club. That’s what I do know.

“On reflection, three (straight) wins in any league, no matter what competition you are in, is fantastic, so all credit to this group of players.”

The Bury boss is quick to quell any talk of a potential promotion battle at such an early stage of the campaign.

“If people want to talk about play-offs this early in the season they are better than me," he said.

"We will take Coventry on at what they do.

"I will work with my analyst team and technical team to try to build up a game plan to try to affect Coventry.

"But I am delighted all round with where we are at – we are in a good place.

“Coming into League One and (starting off with) only one defeat – I am proud of that as a manager.”

Flitcroft's may be right to add a note of caution to the soaring expectations among the Bury faithful as he continues to juggle a lengthy injury list.

Experienced strikers Danny Nardiello and Ryan Lowe continue to make a tentative return to fitness, while fellow front man Tom Pope admitted on Twitter after last weekend's win against Port Vale that he had struggled to play with a broken wrist.

Andrew Tutte is also out with a hamstring strain while central midfield partner Kelvin Etuhu is struggling to overcome a foot and back problems, with former Coventry players Reece Brown and Danny Pugh vying to replace them in the middle of the park.