IAN Lawlor made a promising start with a clean sheet on his debut in Saturday's FA Cup draw at home to Bradford.

And Bury manager David Flitcroft revealed afterwards that he is already keen to extend the Manchester City goalkeeper's six-month loan spell into a longer term deal.

The 21-year-old's arrival provided a massive boost to the Shakers, with first-choice stopper Rob Lainton and reserve Jack Ruddy sidelined through injury.

Daniel Bachmann was dropped to the bench to make way for Lawlor and has now returned to his parent club Stoke City.

And Flitcroft said he was so pleased with his new acquisition that he now wants to tie the former Barnet loanee to extend his stay at Gigg Lane.

“Ian Lawlor probably just represents what I'm trying to do and where I'm trying to go and maybe something for next season,” he said.

“We are trying to build a relationship (with Manchester City) and get him longer than the six months.

“Bakkers will go back and Stoke have been fantastic with it.

"They allowed us to have him at a real difficult time and Bakkers has put some fantastic performances in for us.

“He has done excellent and Stoke have done brilliant with him.

"It must have been difficult for another keeper to come in but he has remained professional in the way he's conducted himself."

Meanwhile, Flitcroft revealed he is on the hunt for a new centre-back, with experienced defender Peter Clarke expected to be ruled out for a number of weeks.

The 34-year-old picked up a knock to his knee at Fleetwood and missed Saturday's FA Cup third round tie with the Bantams.

Reece Brown plugged the gap brilliantly but right-back Joe Riley also picked up a knock and winger Craig Jones – who also covers on the right of the defence – was stretchered off after being knocked unconscious, meaning Bury are now short of defensive options.

Central defender Keil O'Brien could be return as cover after the young centre-back's loan spell at Halifax ended at the weekend.

Flitcroft has since admitted he has come close to signing a couple of targets but negotiations broke down at the final hurdle.

“He (Peter Clarke) has been carrying a bit of a niggle around his knee,” he said. “We sent him for a scan and the injury is settling down but probably not as quickly as we'd hope for.

“We are going to have a look at that but we are delighted with how Reece came in there with almost a no-fear approach, so I'm delighted with his performance.

“It is something we are looking at and it is one of the targets we have identified. We have hit the post on quite a few.

“We will continue the search as we are always looking to improve how we do things and improve the structure of what we're doing so we'll still keep looking but I was delighted with Reece Brown's contribution, I thought he was outstanding at the back today."

Elsewhere, striker Hallam Hope, who has spent the last three months on loan at Carlisle United, has extended his stay at the League Two outfit until January 23.

Bury now go into a big week, with high-flying Walsall visiting Gigg Lane in League One on Saturday before Bury travel to Bradford for their FA Cup replay, with Hull waiting the winners in round four.