WILLIAM Edjenguele was taken out of the “firing line” on Sunday for his own good, according to Bury manager David Flitcroft.

Despite being low on numbers, Flitcroft dropped the French centre-back for the 2-1 victory over York and would not be drawn on his availability for tomorrow’s match at Hartlepool United.

The Bury boss said the 26-year-old defender was taken out of the spotlight after a run of poor personal performances provoked a backlash from a section of the Shakers support.

“I don’t feel as though, while Edgy has been here, our fans have been too kind to him,” said Flitcroft.

“So I have taken him out of the firing line.

“My duty is to protect the players under my care and I just think he has found it very hard and very difficult to settle here and become a leader of a back four.

“So we will look at that in the new year, but I just didn’t feel as though Edgy needed to be involved.”

It is perhaps a measure of the manager’s feeling he did not even name Edjenguele as a substitute, despite only having enough players to fill six of his allotted seven spaces on the bench against York.

The injury problems that have seen Bury’s squad stretched to the limit look set to continue tomorrow, with fears midfielder Danny Mayor could be the latest to be sidelined by injury.

The 22-year-old winger played a key part in the victory over relegation rivals York, setting up the opening goal for Anton Forrester after being switched to a central role just behind the front two.

But he limped off in the second half with a hamstring problem and Flitcroft fears he could now miss tomorrow’s game.

“He felt his hamstring was tightening up at half time and I think the 15 minutes rest were maybe a little bit too long," said Flitcroft.

“He then over-stretched on one, so we have to get Danny assessed.”

Sunday’s first win of Flitcroft’s reign propelled Bury up three places in the League Two table, out of the drop zone and into 20th.

They managed that without key midfielders Tom Soares and captain Craig Jones, who missed the match with hamstring and groin injuries, respectively.

Flitcroft is hopeful one or both could return for the Hartlepool trip.

“Tom Soares is getting nearer, while Jonesy’s scan was better than what we first anticipated,” said the Bury boss.