SHAKERS manager Andy Preece is hoping new signing Glenn Whelan can kick start Bury's struggling season on Tuesday night.

The 19-year-old Manchester City midfielder was snapped up on a month's loan after a third consecutive defeat convinced chairman Albert Doweck that new faces were needed to give Bury any chance of promotion.

Though yet to make a Premiership appearance, Whelan is highly rated after a host of impressive reserve team performances and a strong first team debut against TNS in the UEFA Cup last month.

He also has experience on the international stage after lining up for the Republic of Ireland Under 19s this summer.

"I just thought we needed one or two fresh faces to get things going again," said Preece, whose side have crashed down the Division Three table following their recent slump.

"We've got a number of injuries in midfield and that's why we decided to bring someone in.

"Martyn Forrest moving out to Leigh paved the way for Glenn to come in and I'm delighted to have him here.

"He's good on the ball and aggressive. He's got a good pedigree so, hopefully, he will give us a fresh look.

"City think highly of him and he's been doing well in the reserves. Now they want to test him in a higher league."

Whelan arrives in the nick of time, with Ben Thornley and Lee Unsworth joining fellow midfield casualties Terry Dunfield and George Clegg on the sidelines for the clash with York at Gigg Lane tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

But Preece admitted that without such injury woes, freeing up the cash to make the signing would have been an impossible task. "It's only because we have injuries that this has been made possible," he said.

"Lee Unsworth is struggling with his knee and Ben Thornley was carrying a groin strain through Saturday's game. It would be too much to ask him to do that again just three days later. And we've still got Matty Barrass, George Clegg and one or two others to cope with. So Glenn coming in is a great boost."

Midfield man Terry Dunfield, who has recovered from surgery after dislocating his shoulder three times, could be in the squad for Saturday's trip to Torquay.