BURY boss David Flitcroft is delighted to have striker Hallam Hope back at Gigg Lane as he prepares his squad for their final pre-season outing at Blackpool on Saturday.

The 22-year-old striker scored the visitors' goal in the 1-1 draw at Southport at the weekend, curling the ball around a defender and into the top corner from 15 yards out.

And with the Shakers looking to balance the books and offload some of the higher wage earners, Flitcroft is keen to make Hope part of his plans for the coming season.

Following his transfer from Everton, the young forward was a part of Bury's League Two promotion-winning campaign in 2015.

But after falling out of favour last season, Hope spent the majority of the year on loan at Carlisle United, and Flitcroft believes a season in Cumbria has geared him up well for a full campaign in League One.

“Hallam took his goal really well,” Flitcroft said after the Southport draw. “I thought he was really positive in the second half. You could see every time he got it he was really positive.

“We got a lot right, I'm just disappointed it wasn't a real good hammering for Southport because we totally deserved it.

“He has been fantastic. We had a good chat when he came back from Carlisle and we told him what we expected from him.

“He has another 30-odd games on his CV and was used very well as an out-left and wide striker.

“We monitored every game. We kept close tabs on him and were sent clips of his performances while he was out on loan.

“Hallam has an outstanding attitude and is keen to be part of what we're doing. To have him back is a really big high.

“We have a behind closed doors game against Accrington this week and we head to Blackpool on Saturday where we complete our pre-season programme."

During the draw at Southport, Bury skipper Nathan Cameron made his first appearance since February following knee surgery.

The centre-back came through 70 minutes unscathed and looked very composed alongside new signing Leon Barnett.

Despite not winning the game, the Bury boss was pleased with how his side is shaping up ahead of the new season and says their pre-season is well on track.

“I think in pre-season you want to see aspects of what you're working on,” he said. “I'm delighted to see Nathan Cameron back in the fold.

“Leon has only trained twice since we got him in and I just thought he looked so accomplished and so aggressive on getting out wide.

“A lot of things we're working on, the shape and the structure, is there. It's where I want us. A few players I really wanted to get the 90 got the 90 today in Hallam and Jacob Mellis.

“We'll take up our next phase of the work, that last third phase, that's the only bit that I'm disappointed with, whether it's that final cross or that final shot.”