DAVID Flitcroft reckons Hallam Hope is ready to revive his Bury career – with a little help from the Shakers faithful.

After becoming the first Bury player to score a league hat-trick in 15 years, much was expected of Hope when he made a permanent return from Everton in November 2014.

But while many prospered during the League Two promotion campaign in 2014-15, Hope failed to score all season, with some fans voicing their frustration at the young striker's loss of form.

He was loaned out to Carlisle last term but was welcomed back into the Bury fold this summer, coming off the bench to score and help seal a comprehensive victory against Port Vale.

Remarkably, that was his first league goal for Bury in more than two years – since that treble against Portsmouth at the end of his loan spell from Goodison in April 2014.

He followed that up with another impressive cameo against Shrewsbury last Saturday, almost putting Bury back in front before laying on the winner for Danny Mayor.

The way Hope was running at defenders, he looked back to that exciting youngster who arrived with so much promise following his switch from the Premier League.

With James Vaughan suspended for this Saturday's trip to Swindon, Hope is set to come back into the starting line-up, and Flitcroft feels the 22-year-old is primed to finally fulfil his potential.

He said: “There's no ceiling to what Hallam could achieve and certainly the supporters play their part in giving him that warmth, that feeling.

“When I see Hallam play now, he looks more powerful, he looks strong in himself and I think he feels at home.

“Maybe he had to go out to understand that and what he had at Carrington, as a Bury player.

"There was a decent price-tag on him coming from Everton and expectation, and sometimes it takes a bit of time to shake that off, but we're now seeing a very productive Hallam Hope.”

Vaughan must serve a one-game ban after being sent off against Shrewsbury and Hope should partner Tom Pope, who led the line well in the 2-1 win despite carrying a rib injury.

“Vaughany will be a miss but it does present an opportunity to someone else,” said Flitcroft.

“In training last week, it was probably the best Hallam's trained, then he came on and did great.

"He went on a fantastic run and tried everything to get us that second goal.”

Bury are now unbeaten in four and although Swindon have won just one of their last five in League One, they beat Chelsea's Under-23s in the EFL Trophy in midweek.

Former Bury loanee Nathan Delfouneso scored his first Robins goal in the 2-1 win.