DAVID Flitcroft has had one eye on tomorrow’s visit of Oldham and the other on the transfer market as he bids to bolster his squad before the window closes next Tuesday.

The Bury manager, along with the club’s entire staff, took time off from the recruitment drive yesterday to attend the funeral of former director Neville Neville at the town’s parish church.

But stories continue to rumble on of deals to be done as the Shakers boss juggles his budget in an attempt to bring in reinforcements.

The future of youth team keeper Jack Ruddy seems to central to his plans. The 18-year-old Glaswegian stopper is being tracked by Aston Villa and trained with them last week.

But it is understood the Villains do not want to pay the reported £300,000 asking price up front, opening the door for interested observers Man City to make a late move.

Flitcroft said: “He’s been to Aston Villa, he’s had a couple of days training and they have been very impressed with him.

“But while he has been down there other clubs have been alerted to it and they have now enquired."

The Bury boss moved early in the season to secure the big name signing of striker Leon Clarke on a free transfer.

But there remains concern over the wages a proven Championship performer like Clarke, who played at Wolves and on loan at Wigan last season, could command, possibly stretching the budget too far to allow the Shakers to strenghten in other areas.

Whatever his price tag, the 30-year-old proved his worth by scoring four goals in as many games in the opening weeks of the season before missing the last two matches with a hamstring strain.

Midfield lynchpin Kelvin Etuhu, who has been struggling with a foot injury, also missed last weekend’s 3-3 draw at Crewe and Tuesday night’s 4-1 defeat to Leicester, while Tom Soares was unable to feature against the Foxes after limping out of the warm-up with a tight hamstring.

Ryan Lowe, Danny Nardiello and Keil O’Brien are also out injured, and Flitcroft admitted his squad was stretched to the limit, meaning a potential windfall from the sale of Ruddy, along with a bumper gate at home to local rivals Oldham tomorrow, could come in very handy.

“We are running a business and you are always within the boundaries of financial fair play. We are trying to balance the books all the time,” he said.

“Our budget is 10 per cent more than what it was last season.

“I’ve got rid of eight players from last season and brought in quality.

“We are probably a bit light now so we have got to look at that.

“The chairman is trying to hit it from every conceivable angle to bring in money."