JOE Riley's eagerly anticipated debut for Bury had to be put on hold at the weekend after the former Wanderers defender pulled up with a hamstring injury in training.

Shakers boss David Flitcroft decided not to risk the 23-year-old full-back in Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Wycombe Wanderers as a precaution.

"He’s slightly pulled his hamstring," said Flitcroft. "He might have got through part of the game, but obviously, as a new signing, we want to make sure he is at full tilt and ready to go.

"So I am really disappointed that I’ve not been able to utilise Joe.

"He is settling in well and Soarse has done fantastic out there again as a stand-in right-back."

Riley signed a two-and-a-half-year contract with Bury last Wednesday after spending nearly 16 years in the Wanderers fold.

His number of first-team opportunities had been restricted by injury, but Riley had made 28 appearances on loan at Oxford earlier this season.