BURY boss David Flitcroft admits it was a mistake to wait so long before bolstering his ranks of centre-backs following last week’s arrival of Bristol City defender Adam El-Abd on a two-month loan.

Captain Jim McNulty lost his place in the starting line-up to the 30-year-old former Brighton centre-half, who was thrown straight in for his debut on Saturday just four days after signing.

And while the Shakers fell to a fourth straight defeat, Flitcroft remains optimistic of the long term impact El-Abd’s arrival will have on his defence.

“Looking back, I have not had enough competition for those central defensive places,” said Flitcroft, who has operated a three-man defence for much of the campaign with only McNulty, Nathan Cameron and Pablo Mills to choose from.

“So I have probably brought in a central defender a little bit too late.

“Cam, Nults and Pabs have not really had any competition and with El-Abd we have got that now.”

Mills sat out Saturday’s defeat against Dagenham and Redbridge with a groin strain, but is expected to return to training this week, while Keil O’Brien is also back in contention after the summer signing from Chorley recently returned from a lengthy lay-off with a knee injury.

Flitcroft has made it clear, however, that all of his central defenders must now be on their toes if they want to retain their place in the side.

And judging by his glowing appraisal of El-Abd, they will all have to usurp Bury’s latest signing to force their way back into the first-team reckoning.

“Adam, in terms of his structure and stature, is a very aggressive player,” added the Bury boss.

“He is a leader. He is someone who embraces leadership and embraces being part of a back three or a back four and trying to hold people together.

“I think he would lead Cam really well and I could pair perm him with any one of our centre-halves (in a back two). And if I go to a three there is flexibility – Adam could play a part in that as well.

“So Adam is a fantastic character. He makes good decisions on a football pitch.”

Flitcroft further bolstered his defensive options last week with the signing of Rotherham's utility man Rob Milsom, who enjoyed a promising debut at left-back on Saturday.

The Bury boss is looking forward to working with the 25-year-old over the busy festive period.

“Milsom has got an energy about him,” he said. “He will give us a forward drive, as well as cover in centre midfield. He can play as one of a three and he’s got a left foot.

“I like a left-footed player sometimes in midfield, but at left-back he is someone who drives the team forward.”