BURY defender Danny Swailes has put his injury-hit start to the season firmly behind him - and his manager hopes that could spark a rise up League Two.

The big central defender, who missed the start of the season with a thigh injury, got off to a flyer with a goal in the Shakers' 3-0 win at Rochdale on Saturday.

Swailes gave the Bury back line a far more solid look as Graham Barrow's side registered their first clean sheet of the campaign.

Barrow was delighted to get Swailes back in action, and knows just what an influential player he has been missing in recent weeks.

"I thought Danny was exceptional against Rochdale," said the manager.

"Even though he has done quite a bit of training over the past couple of weeks, he was really thrown in at the deep end - but put in a tremendous display under the circumstances.

"Since I've been at the club, he's been one of the most consistent players we have had.

"He's also one of the most underrated players in the squad, but not by me.

"He showed his qualities, and I'm delighted for him."