BURY have signed young Burnley defender Alex Whitmore on loan and have taken former Celtic goalkeeper Leo Fasan on trial.

Whitmore took part in today's open training session at Gigg Lane after signing a deal until January.

The ex-Chester and Gateshead loanee will provide cover for the defensive ranks after Phil Edwards and Eoghan O’Connell both picked up knee injuries during pre-season.

The 21-year-old centre-back spent the last campaign on loan at League Two Morecambe, where he made 35 appearances.

Speaking of his latest addition, Bury boss Lee Clark said: “We felt that, because of Nathan Cameron’s ongoing situation, which is a very limited and managed training programme, we’re not sure where he’s at in terms of completing successive games.

“We felt that we needed another centre-half in. We didn’t want to leave ourselves short and we always want to have at least one central defender as a replacement on the bench.

“I have seen Alex progress year on year at different levels. I have seen him in the National League for Gateshead and then last year for Morecambe.

“We feel he has got that progression in him. Whenever I’ve dealt with Burnley as a club and I’ve signed their young players they’ve all had a great desire and attitude to do well and we believe Alex ticks those boxes.”

Clark is still searching for another keeper to challenge Joe Murphy for the number one spot and he is now running the rule over Italian shot stopper Fasan.

The 23-year-old failed to make the first-team grade at Celtic Park and was released after spending the end of last season on loan at relegated Port Vale, where he made 10 starts.

The Shakers had been looking at Kyle Letheren and Dean Lyness but both have now been released without a deal.

“We have brought Leo in from Celtic,” Clark added. “We are just looking at one or two possibilities, which we have done all season.

“Everyone knows we have been in the market and we are prepared to wait.

“It is coming to the crunch. What I have to decide is do I make that call now so we are ready for the start of the season or do I wait until the last day of the transfer window?"