Richard Eckersley joins Bury on loan

Eckersley is to stay with the Shakers until May 7 and is in line for a debut against Torquay United at Gigg Lane on Tuesday night.

Bury, who have lost just once in their last 13 games to climb into an automatic promotion place, moved for Eckersley to bolster a defence hit by injury and suspension problems.

Eckersley has featured just once for the Clarets this season, starting a Carling Cup tie at Morecambe in August.

However, the former Manchester United youngster, 22, played a dozen games on loan for Bradford City in League Two earlier in the campaign.

And the right-back also gained first-team experience at the end of last season during a loan spell with Plymouth Argyle.