CONFUSION surrounded the inclusion of Bury captain Nathan Cameron in Saturday’s victory over Northampton.

The 23-year-old defender picked up what was understood to have been his 10th booking of the season in last Tuesday’s win at York, which would have triggered a two-match ban.

But behind the scenes the club successfully sought clarification from the FA that one of the yellow cards recorded against him - in a match at Oxford in December - had in fact been issued to Tom Soares.

Flitcroft’s reaction to a question posed to him about Cameron’s looming ban by Bury’s own press officer, Gordon Sorfleet, not only made a story in the local press but even featured in the club’s matchday programme.

The manager’s programme notes read: “Unfortunately we have lost Nathan Cameron for two games with his suspension. The referee on Tuesday had no option but to book him for his 10th yellow.”

Yet Cameron helped lead 10-man Bury to come from behind against the Cobblers to record a thrilling 2-1 win at the JD Stadium.

“I think it must have been a surprise to Chrissy Wilder when we gave in the team sheet,” admitted Flitcroft.

“I wanted to keep it under wraps because it had gone out there and we had made a bit of a play on it on Tuesday night.

“You boys (Sorfleet and attending reporters) said it was 10, but the FA have cleared it and Cam’s played.

“I’m delighted because he has shown, certainly second half, what a leader he is.”