Bury Town manager Ben Chenery has welcomed the loan signing of Braintree Town’s former Macclesfield striker Michael Bakare.

East Anglian Daily Times: Callum BennettCallum Bennett (Image: Archant)

The 28-year-old has been brought to Ram Meadow on an initial month’s loan deal and could start for the rock-bottom Blues in their must-win encounter at fifth-top East Thurrock United.

Town are 12 points adrift of safety and this week and Bakare will be relied upon to provide goals, especially following the exit of John Sands to Ryman Premier rivals Leiston, earlier this week.

“I have got to the stage of the season where I need someone to lead the line, who knows football, someone I can trust up there with the Benjamin boys (Chris and Joe),” said Chenery, whose side have lost 11 of their last 15 league games.

“I am pleased to have him on board, I worked with him at Chelmsford four or five years ago and he is quick and direct.”

The aforementioned Sands, who has been joined by defenders, Callum Bennett (Felixstowe & Walton) and Joe Whight (Needham Market) in leaving the club this week, scored once in five games during his second spell at the west Suffolk club.

“My management style is such that I need everyone at it, in what is a relegation scrap,” revealed Chenery.

“John is a good lad, he described the pitch as being heavy, which I understand as he needs a hernia operation.

“I need someone in attack to be fully accountable when needed.

“I have no doubt he will do a good job at Leiston.”

As for Bennett and Whight, Chenery revealed why he had allowed the former Ipswich Town youngsters to leave the club.

“It was my decision to allow Callum to leave,” said Chenery.

“He is a good lad and was well schooled but it’s not happened for him in certain ways.”

He added: “Joe is a good footballer, but when I was a player, I was schooled a bit differently in winning games.

“He is very good technically and he will be a very good signing for someone and will be better for his experience here.”

Chenery, meanwhile, says his side must remain positive today.

“We are going to go there and be bold. We don’t want to go out with a whimper,” he explained.

“It will be a good test of our mettle today.”