SHAKERS' reserve match at Macclesfield on Wednesday was called off due to a frozen pitch halting David Flitcroft's chances of making his first appearance in a Bury shirt against his old club.

Flitcroft has been training with Bury for the last week-and-a-half after linking up with his former Chester boss Graham Barrow.

The 30-year-old, who is the younger brother of Blackburn Rovers star Garry Flitcroft, was released by Macclesfield earlier this month.

He is understood to have turned down offers from Carlisle United and Scunthorpe United to team up with the Shakers.

Barrow sees Flitcroft as an ideal replacement for Glenn Whelan, whose three-month loan deal from Manchester City runs out after this Saturday's home match against Southend United.

"We have a problem with Glenn Whelan going back at the weekend and David would be a good option for us because he wouldn't be a loan signing," the Bury boss said.

"I know all about him, he's a real grafter and a good character."

Flitcroft joined Macclesfield in the summer, having been voted Rochdale's player of the year last season.

He was appointed club captain by the Silkmen's then manager David Moss, but struggled to make his mark in the side after missing the first two games of the season through suspension.

His performances attracted criticism from Macclesfield's fans, and he lost his place in midfield when Moss was sacked in October.

Flitcroft admitted that he had a difficult working relationship with Moss' replacement John Askey, who handed the former Preston trainee just one start in two months before releasing him three weeks ago.

"Once Mossy got the bullet at Macclesfield, his assistant came in and we didn't see eye-to-eye," Flitcroft said. "I ended up out in the cold and he released me. Now I just want to be playing games again."

Flitcroft added: "I have had offers from other clubs but I like what I've seen at Bury. They are a good set of lads and there is a real buzz about the place.

"Graham's putting together a strong unit that's starting to get results. I'd love to be a part of it."

Flitcroft could make his first-team debut against struggling Southend on Saturday as the Shakers look to extend a three-match unbeaten run.