CHRIS Brass is looking to strike early in the transfer market and says defence is his number-one priority.

Macclesfield winger Jack Mackreth was the first new face through the door when the window opened on New Year’s Day, with young Bury striker Anthony Dudley going in the opposite direction on a season-long loan yesterday.

It has also widely been reported that the Shakers boss is interested in tempting Ryan Lowe to return from Crewe as a player coach, but Brass clearly has more pressing concerns.

The Shakers have shipped 49 goals in 25 League One games this term, the worst defensive record in the division and second worst in the Football League, behind Championship side Rotherham.

Bury Times understands a bid has been placed for a Premier League defender.

No deal had been agreed by the time the paper went to press, but Brass said: “We don’t want to wait until the window is closing, we want to strike early.

“We are working extremely hard to boost the team defensively. We want to get any new lads in nice and early because there is an awful lot of football still to play.”

Mackreth, aged 24, joined on Sunday for an undisclosed fee, believed to be in the region of £30,000, and was thrown into the starting line-up for Monday’s 3-1 defeat to Sheffield United.

Brass is confident his new man can make the step up from National League to League One.

He said: “Jack has pace, work-rate, endeavour and puts crosses in, and has that hunger and desire to want to improve himself. Now he has to snatch this opportunity with both hands.”

The Shakers are also looking to offload players in January, with a handful more expected to follow Dudley.

However, Brass added: “Whatever we do will be in the best interest of the club. No sale will be made as a knee-jerk decision.”