ANDY Bishop might be back on the goal trail, but the return from injury of Bury’s prolific hitman has been tempered by the news that Nicky Ajose faces a spell on the sidelines.

On loan from Manchester United until the end of the season, Ajose has forged a prolific partnership alongside leading scorer Ryan Lowe since moving to Gigg Lane in September.

Ajose, who has scored seven goals this season, made his debut against Cheltenham in September in a game that proved to be Bishop’s final start for four months.

And, in a cruel twist of fate, now Bishop is fit and firing on all cylinders, his 19-year-old colleague faces an injury battle of his own with estimates suggesting he could be out for up to eight weeks.

“Nicky went to strike a ball in training on Sunday, caught it wrong and hurt his knee,” said Shakers boss Alan Knill.

“We sent him to Manchester United to get checked out and they called us to say it didn’t look too good.

“He is definitely going to miss a few games, but we don’t know for how long. He will see a specialist tomorrow and we will know more after that.

“I am gutted for Nicky because he is a top lad and I thought he was just starting to find some good form again.”

Bishop stepped into the breach on Tuesday evening, and it was his early goal that set Bury on their way to a 3-0 victory over Stevenage. His performance alongside Lowe proved to be a fruitful one – and Knill is not surprised.

“I don’t think the Bishop-Lowe partnership needs much working on,” he said. “They have played together before and both are good players.

“I am delighted with Andy’s finish and I am sure it will do his confidence the world of good. People will pick up the papers and see Andy Bishop has scored for Bury and that is what we want. The goal was a bit lucky but it was the little bit of a break he needed.”

Knill, who takes his side to Stockport on Saturday before they host promotion rivals Chesterfield at Gigg Lane on Tuesday, is now scouring the loan market for reinforcements.