BURY midfielder Darren Bullock was the main mover on transfer deadline day, joining First Division Sheffield United on loan until the end of the season.

Blades manager Neil Warnock knows all about the combative player's qualities as he managed him during his spell at Gigg Lane.

Bullock, one of the Shakers top goalscorers this season, suffered a thigh injury at the start of October which kept him out for two months and he failed to regain his place.

The midfielder has become increasingly frustrated during his spell on the sidelines and is delighted to be making the move across the Pennines.

If his spell at Sheffield is a success then Warnock will consider signing him permanently.

Bullock has been at Bury since February 1999 after joining from Swindon Town for £200,000. He almost left last season for non-league Rushden and Diamonds but battled his way back. This time, however, it seems as though his time at Bury could be up.

Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock told the Bury Times: "We've been lacking commitment in midfield and Darren Bullock can certainly offer us that. We've lost four other midfielders including George Santos and I felt we needed something extra. "He's obviously been bombed out at Bury at the moment and if he plays exceptionally well here then we may make it permanent."

It was a busy transfer deadline day at Gigg Lane yesterday with manager Andy Preece's phone buzzing. Fortunately for both Bury fans and the manager there were no major departures.

It leaves Preece able to focus fully on the remainder of the season, starting with tomorrow's long trip to Bournemouth.

Three more points in Dorset would leave Bury fans dreaming about the play-offs and the Bury boss hasn't ruled them out.

"I'm glad we've not lost anyone because we're on a good run and if we can win all our games who knows what might happen," said Preece, delighted to have dream strike force of Jon Newby and Colin Cramb working in tandem until the end of the season.

"The way we're playing at the minute we're full of confidence and we are capable of winning every match.

"If someone takes over the club in the summer and we had lost Chris Swailes, Chris Billy, Nicky Daws and those sort of players then we would have had to replace them and it might have cost us more in the long run."

BURY'S reserve side play in the Avon Insurance League Cup quarter final at Halifax today, 2pm kick off.

FORMER Shakers favourite Rob Matthews has joined Hull City for £30,000.