JAY O’Shea feels he is finally showing Bury fans what he can do – thanks to the management of Ryan Lowe.

O’Shea was one of several promising signings in the summer of 2017, arriving from Chesterfield having just helped Sheffield United to League One promotion while on loan with the Blades.

But the 30-year-old Irishman was injured on the opening day and had another spell on the sidelines at the start of 2018.

Since Bury dropped into League Two, and Lowe was named permanent manager, O’Shea has been a regular starter this term. Although he had to wait until October for his first goal of the season, his brace in Saturday’s 4-0 win against Stevenage made it five goals in six games.

“It was frustrating last year,” O’Shea said. “I had a couple of injuries and obviously there was the relegation. It’s really nice to be enjoying my football again under the gaffer. I think the style of play suits me.”

O’Shea was often used out wide last season or behind the striker but has revelled at the front of a three-man central midfield in recent weeks. His double against Stevenage, who went down to 10 men just before half-time, even took him past last season’s goal tally of four.

“Sometimes those games can be frustrating, it’s hard to break them down,” O’Shea added.

“We were going wide and not really getting much joy. We needed to get a goal through the middle of the pitch, that’s what the gaffer was saying, to get our shots off, and once we got one we went on to get four.

“I didn’t train all week. I’d been suffering with a bit of a virus but the gaffer said ‘make sure you’re ready for Saturday’. I didn’t know whether I’d get through the game so I’m delighted to get 90 minutes and get three points for the Shakers.

“It’s always nice to score but the most important thing is we’re on a bit of a run. Hopefully we can keep it going.”

Despite winning four on the bounce, Bury are still a point outside the play-off places, but now face Cambridge (Saturday) and Cheltenham (Tuesday), both sides in the bottom four.

On-loan striker Caolan Lavery could feature, having returned to training.