DAVID Flitcroft believes he can harness Danny Mayor’s undoubted talent and make him into a world beater.

The Bury boss has seen enough of the on-loan Sheffield Wednesday midfielder to be confident he has a big future in the game.

And he has promised to play his part in propelling the 22-year-old Leyland-born player to the top of the tree during his season at the JD Stadium.

Flitcroft made the bold statement after watching Mayor cause “chaos” at Hartlepool on New Year’s Day, where he scored Bury’s opener and laid on the second in a 3-0 victory.

“Getting Danny Mayor in the slot was something we have worked on and I thought it caused them absolute chaos,” he said.

“The way we found the pass into Danny and got him on the ball - when he’s on that sort of form you can’t handle him.”

The Shakers manager added a word of caution to his optimistic prediction, saying Mayor had a way to go yet to reach the heights of Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery – the two international stars he has held up as an example for the youngster to follow.

Flitcroft believes the former Preston midfielder can work even harder for the team, but says he is in the right place to learn.

“I said to him after the match ‘Danny, the world’s your oyster, don’t waste your opportunity’,” said Flitcroft.

“That’s my biggest bug bear in life, when people waste their talent and there are so many players you can name that do that.

“But Danny is committing to his talent and I will make him into a team player.

“Everyone who I have ever worked with and been successful with, I have turned them from an individual into a team player.

“They get their just rewards after that.

“That’s what managers want. They want people who have got the talent of Danny Mayor, but also have functionality of Robben and Ribery.

“They are the two most talented players out there, but their function for the team is incredible.”

Today’s match at home to Oxford United has been postponed due to the Us’ involvement in the third round of the FA Cup.

Despite enjoying successful festive period, which has included victories over York and Hartlepool, and a draw against league leaders Scunthorpe United, Flitcroft says the weekend off is a help rather than a hindrance.

The Bury boss is now relishing some intensive training sessions with Mayor and the rest of the team ahead of next Saturday’s trip to high flyers Chesterfield.

One man who will not be joining them, however, is Fleetwood Town full-back Dean Howell, who has returned to his parent club following a successful loan spell at the JD Stadium.