Nathan Arnold, Jon D'Laryea, Lee Bell and Dan Martin all look set to miss out with injury.

And, with youngster Danny Sleath out on loan, manager Billy Dearden has few midfield options in a game the Stags desperately need to win.

Arnold (ankle) is back in light training but has no chance of playing.

D'Laryea is also extremely unlikely to shake off a calf strain in time. And he was joined last night by Martin (strain at top of hamstring) and Bell (knee).

Martin has been playing left back but arrived in the summer as a midfielder and could have gone in there. But he picked this injury up three games back, played at Harrogate and against Bradford with it and has aggravated it.

"I am missing a big chunk of my midfield but we've coped before," said Dearden.

"I may have to move one or two pegs about and we will get through.

"There are another couple of days yet but it doesn't look good. I might even have to reorganise our shape to what bodies I have available."

Dearden was full of praise for Bradford's football in last night's 0-0 Field Mill stalemate.

But he said: "Bury will be a very different proposition. They are very strong and play a bit more direct.

"They have done very well this season – better than many expected – and have won a few home games which always helps.

"But we have improved at home as well and we have done well in our last five home matches and not conceded in the last four.

"So we will hope to keep that going, keep another clean sheet, and get the three points."