LEON Clarke repaid manager David Flitcroft with a winning goal on his return to the team in Saturday's 1-0 win against Doncaster after being given time away from football to be at the bedside of his poorly girlfriend.

His partner suffered complications during labour and was bedbound for two weeks after giving birth.

Her illness coincided with an injury to Bury’s top scorer, but rather than putting pressure on Clarke to return to the team, Flitcroft gave the 31-year-old time to look after his young family.

It was the latest incident in what has been a harrowing season for Clarke off the pitch, after his mother fell seriously ill and his father died suddenly at the turn of the year.

“There was a mixture of things,” Clarke said after revealing more about his absence from the team. “My partner went into labour, but it wasn't just my partner being in labour.

“She went into labour, she was ill, she was bed-bound, it's been about two weeks now.

“I have to obviously thank the gaffer for giving me the time off. Maybe it wasn't the right time for the team and maybe the team needed me but I had to be there for my partner and my little boy.

“She was literally bed-bound, it was difficult. My girlfriend is better, it is just going to take a little bit of time.”

In the meantime Clarke has been recovering from a haematoma on his thigh suffered during the clash with Colchester on February 20.

However, speaking to the press for the first time since the widely reported death of his father, the striker reflected on his recent torrid experiences and repeated his gratitude for those who have helped him come out the other side, in particular manager Flitcroft.

He said: “My mum wasn't very well, she was in hospital. My dad passed away and my partner being unwell after the birth.

“When you look at it like that it sounds really bad but it hasn't been that bad.

“I've got good support around me. The manager honestly has been brilliantly with me.

“I have missed a lot more games than I would have liked to through family matters, which maybe hasn't helped the team as well, but the manager has helped me out a lot this season so I can't thank him enough.”

Despite the many difficulties faced this season, the striker remains positive on his outlook for the future.

Clarke now claims to be back to full fitness and bids to hit seven goals in the final five games of the season as he eyes up the 25-goal mark.

“It's nice to have 18 but personally I wish I had more," he said.

"I feel like I should have 25. There's games I can remember, the Scunthorpe game at home, I could have had a couple again today (against Doncaster).

“The plus side is that its nice to have 18 but I'm frustrated I haven't got more. I'd like to be on 25, 26's.

“I'll be happy with 25. Yes (I think it's possible). I don't see why not. I feel as fit as I did in pre-season.

“When you have a baby you lose a lot of weight, you can't find time to eat. I'm the slimmest I've probably ever been.”