BURY defender Nathan Cameron has been sidelined for at least six months with a knee injury, and manager David Flitcroft has ruled out a move for former Leeds defender Sol Bamba as a potential replacement.

Cameron missed the final three months of last season with a knee problem but after undergoing surgery it was hoped the injury had been rectified.

The centre-back started the new season in immense form but had to go under the knife again last week to remove more cartilage from his knee.

The recovery process could see the 24-year-old miss the remainder of the campaign and after signing a two-year contract extension only last month, Bury boss David Flitcroft insists the defender will have the very best support to come back stronger than ever.

“It’s a knee condition that Nathan’s got from last season,” Flitcroft revealed. “It has deteriorated over a period and the form he came into masked it.

“He had an operation last week which took more cartilage out of there.

“It’s important now we support him in that. He is probably going to be out for six months so it’s looking like he will be out for the whole season.

“He’s got a two-year contract now at the football club that we can support him with.

“We are looking at every aspect and every angle to try and get Nathan as a machine for when he comes back.”

Cameron’s extended absence is a massive blow to the Shakers and has forced Flitcroft to browse the free agent market in search of cover.

Former Leeds United defender Bamba is one player to have caught the manager’s attention and after launching an initial approach Bury backed down, due to the cost of the move.

“He is absolutely and completely out of our price range,” Flitcroft revealed. “We spoke to his people and it was ridiculous.

“He is a player that I have liked but it’s something that we quickly dismissed. Again, you have just lost your centre-back for six months, Leon (Barnett) for four weeks, maybe five, so you just have a look to see what is out there.

“When it came available we spoke to people at Leeds and it could have been a possibility but when the agents got involved it just became obscene – and quite ugly at times – so we stayed away from that one.”

Meanwhile, Bury could be boosted by the return of midfield duo Neil Danns and Kelvin Etuhu ahead of this weekend’s clash with Chesterfield.

Andrew Tutte could also be in contention to make his first start of the season after coming off the bench on Saturday.

However, winger Danny Mayor, who limped off towards the end of the victory against Swindon, is a doubt as he struggles with an ankle injury.

“Kelvin (Etuhu) and Dannsy came through a training session on Sunday,” Flitcroft added. “Tuttey came through a football training session on Sunday so I have a good chance of having them back in midfield for this weekend.

“ Danny (Mayor) was still sore on Sunday. He didn’t train on Monday and as the week progresses it’s about how he reacts. There is no short, medium or long-term damage there. It is just a case of when we think we can get Danny back in training to be available for Saturday.”