DAVID Flitcroft’s decision to make midfielder Nicky Adams available for transfer showed the manager will be ruthless in his bid to build a Bury squad capable of competing in League One.

Chairman Stewart Day flew the promotion-winning side out to Spain last weekend to continue the party after they clinched a return to the third tier on the final day of the season.

But it was back down to business at Carrington on Wednesday as Flitcroft drew up his retained list.

And Adams was the biggest casualty, along with former captain Jim McNulty and fellow centre-back Pablo Mills, who were released.

The writing was possibly on the wall for the 28-year-old midfielder, who made the last of his 29 starts on March 21, and was substituted at half time in that game against Northampton.

Flitcroft gave a further hint that Adams was not in his plans after leaving the Breightmet-born player out of the squad for a key match in the run-in at home to Shrewsbury.

“It’s tough because me and Nicky go back a long way,” he said, following that game, after plumping for the more defensive-minded Craig Jones on the right of midfield.

“I played with him and know his family so it was a real difficult one.

“It’s not personal, it’s always professional. We make professional decisions.”

But Adams clearly expected to be part of his plans when speaking with The Bolton News earlier this week, before Flitcroft broke the news that he had been put up for sale.

“I am sure the gaffer will add one or two players in the summer but this squad has not been built with League Two in mind,” he said.

“It is full of players capable of playing at a higher level, so I don’t think we will have any problems.

“I have spent a lot of time playing in League One and I know what it takes at that level.”

Adams, who has two years left on his contract, must now decide whether to stay and fight for his place or seek a quick exit.

He is sure to attract a number of suitors, with decent experience at League One level following stints at Rotherham, Crawley and Rochdale before his return to Bury.

But it may take a while for the news to sink in after making what he felt was a dream return to the club where he kicked off his career.

“I missed the last few games but the gaffer had a settled side that was grinding out 1-0 wins and I was happy to sacrifice myself for the team,” he said.

“But I am really pleased with the way my season went.

“I played 44 games and I weighed in with quite a few assists.

“When I came back I had to cope with one or two sniggers from a few people who said talk of promotion was a fairytale.

“But I believed in it and the fairytale became a reality – I don’t see why it has to end here.”