CLIVE Platt may have felt used and abused when he was told he was surplus to requirements at Northampton.

Yet the experienced striker now believes former manager Aidy Boothroyd could have done him a favour after landing on his feet at the JD Stadium.

“I tore my calf near the end of last season when we were up there vying for automatic promotion,” explained Platt.

“So I was asked to play injured. I did, then I was asked to play in the play-off games injured, and I did.

“We always knew, with me doing that, the injury was going to drag on into the beginning of this season. But because it has dragged on they have said ‘well you’re injured, we want you out’.

“So it’s a funny one, but that’s football and I’ve been around long enough to know the score.

“But it has given me the opportunity to come in here and hook up with a team that pops the ball about, creates chances and are getting a bit of momentum behind them, so I suppose I have got to thank them (Northampton) really.”

It was just that level-headed approach that attracted Bury boss David Flitcroft to the 36-year-old striker.

The pair played for Rochdale together near the start of Platt’s career and the big forward then lined up for Northampton against Bury in Flitcroft’s first game as Shakers manager - a chance meeting that helped to open up a new chapter for the 6ft 5ins frontman.

“They (Northampton) may have kicked me while I was down but for me it has worked as a positive really and I have taken it as that,” he said.

“I’ve been to St George’s (FA headquarters) to get fit and then come and worked with the team here, who are still trying to get me match fit.

“Training has been really intense and that’s exactly what I needed.

“We’ve had a couple of games called off so (during the break) the training levels have gone through the roof, so it has been good to get that under my belt and then get a few minutes on the pitch.”

Flitcroft has clear plans to use Platt’s physical presence on the pitch, but he has also highlighted his presence in the dressing room as a major factor in bringing him to the JD.

“The good thing about the lads here, especially the younger lads, is that they will listen,” said Platt, who is only too happy to lend his experience to his team-mates.

“So it’s a pleasure to work with them. If I can speak with them and they will listen and it improves us as a team then brilliant.”