BURY manager David Flitcroft has warned the club will have to sell players before they can add to the squad and admitted they have fielded tentative enquiries about some of their prized assets.

The Shakers boss did not name names but described his squad as a "wanted bunch".

Captain Nathan Cameron, in-form full-back Chris Hussey and flying winger Danny Mayor have been the stand-out players during Bury's impressive start to their League One return.

Flexible midfielder Tom Soares and former Bolton Wanderers right-back Joe Riley have also put in a string of impressive performances, although both missed Bury's last match through injury.

And top scorer Leon Clarke, who has fired in 13 goals in 23 appearances since signing on a free transfer last summer, has already proved he can perform at a higher level.

“We have had quite a few enquiries,” he said. “People have been feeling us out about our players and I expect that. Some of them have had a fantastic season and they have been progressing now for two years.

“The players have gone to a different level and sometimes you can't stop players from moving on, it is part of football.

“You can only have a certain squad size. I'm a realist I understand that.

“We are going to have to work on getting a few players shipped out to get some recovery on wages, which again is a milestone for this football club.

“When I first took over we struggled to give players away and we had to pay some players' contracts up, but now I have got a group of players and they are a wanted bunch, people want them whether that's as a transfer target or to help them in their quest to be successful.

“We always sign a player and have an exit strategy for that player whether they leave on our terms or on their terms if a club comes in for them. It's a business and that's what we're trying to run."

Flitcroft met with chairman Stewart Day and his fellow directors this week to plan out their strategy for the transfer window.

Following the meeting, Bury signed Manchester City goalkeeper Ian Lawlor on loan until the end of the season and brought Ryan Lowe back into the fold following his successful loan spell at Crewe, while utility player Reece Brown signed a contract extension up to the end of the campaign.

But teenage striker Anthony Dudley was sent out for a second loan spell at National League club Guiseley, while former youth team front man Brayden Shaw was released.

Players such as Hallam Hope and Keil O'Brien, who have spent the last three months on loan at Carlisle and Halifax, respectively, could also be sent back out when their current deals expire this weekend.

But it looks likely that more high profile names could be on their way out as Flitcroft attempts to re-balance his squad, and possibly make way for new arrivals.

“(This week's meeting) was a productive one in trying to get the squad balance right and (identify) the areas we are short," added Flitcroft.

"We know we have identified the key targets that we need and we will press on with that.

“But we are a club that will struggle at times to hold on to our best players. I think that's a reality of any football club.

“If we do receive bids it will be up to the football club and the board whether they want to accept those bids or hold on to them and try to drive that Championship dream that we have got.

“It does prove difficult because if you have got very good players the best teams in this league and teams above will want them.

“You never want to lose your best players but sometimes it is a matter of football finance.”