BRISTOL City manager Steve Cotterill looks to be ready to strike a deal with Bury for on-loan centre-back Adam El-Abd, but yesterday said he was still waiting to hear from the club.

The Ashton Gate boss admitted he was “disappointed” not to have opened talks yet, with the 30-year-old defender due to return to Ashton Gate after Saturday’s match at Burton Albion.

“We have not been contacted yet by Bury funnily enough,” said Cotterill, yesterday lunchtime.

“That’s a slight disappointment and we’ll have to wait and see.”

El-Abd has helped Bury to 14 points from a possible 27 since signing on loan at the end of November.

He replaced former captain Jim McNulty in the first team and has formed a promising centre-back partnership with new skipper Nathan Cameron.

Bury may well be weighing up whether to try to extend El-Abd’s loan or structure a more permanent deal, although he still has two-and-a-half years left on his contract with City so wages and fees may be the sticking point.

Shakers manager David Flitcroft has hinted, however, that he is interested in doing a deal, saying he intended to open talks with Cotterill yesterday.

Bury may be waiting to make an announcement tonight, at a general meeting with shareholders.