Byrne struck down by mystery illness

The former Leicester academy player has only made four appearances for the Shakers in his second spell at the club after returning in the summer following a successful loan spell last season.

Assistant manager Peter Shirtliff, who signed Byrne, admits the 19-year-old has not been the same player he remembers from last season.

But believes an exotic disease picked up on a pre-season tour could be to blame.

“Apparently, he caught a viral infection when he was on a pre-season tour with (his previous club) Leicester in Hong Kong,” said Shirtliff.

“He’s lost a bit of weight and he doesn’t look the same guy.”

Shirtliff flung Byrne straight into the starting line-up for Bury’s 2-2 draw at Coventry after his arrival in August, but the young Irish midfielder has since slipped down the pecking order.

He has not played since the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy victory at Rochdale in October and has not figured in the squad at all since the FA Cup win at home to Exeter at the start of last month.

Initially, it was thought that Byrne had overcome his illness from the summer and was simply under-performing, but since the symptoms came back stronger he has been forced to rest, and no date as yet has been set for his return.

Shirtliff added: “He’s over the infection, but I suppose it’s like glandular fever. It’s similar to that sort of thing.

“He’s resting up, but some days he feels good and some days he feels bad. It’s a question of time for the lad as he’s got to get right.”

It is feared that Byrne will be forced to miss the remainder of the campaign, joining Phil Picken (knee) and Adam Lockwood (hip) out for the season.

Bury club has confirmed that Lockwood, a summer signing from Doncaster Rovers, will undergo a hip operation on January 2.

The 31-year-old centre-back has not played since limping off with what was thought to have been a groin injury during the 2-0 victory over Portsmouth in November.