A DEBILITATING virus is in danger of wrecking the Shakers' preparations ahead of a crucial week of fixtures.

Four first teamers have been told to keep away from the club as the bug - initially picked up by striker Chris Porter - spreads through the dressing room.

Defender Colin Woodthorpe, winger Ben Thornley and, crucially, goalkeeper Glyn Garner, are the latest victims and the timing couldn't be any worse with three crucial home matches coming up in the next eight days.

Saturday's league match against high-flying Nationwide League newcomers Yeovil Town is followed by the visit of Lancashire rivals Oldham Athletic on Monday evening in the LDV Vans Trophy.

Then, a week on Saturday, near neighbours Rochdale come to Gigg for an eagerly anticipated FA Cup first round tie.

Shakers manager Andy Preece is keeping everything crossed that no more of his players fall to the malaise and admits he has no idea who he'll be able to pick from tomorrow afternoon.

"It couldn't have come at a worse time for us because we've such a big week ahead," he said.

"Any of the players who have contracted it have been sent home as we cannot risk it spreading through the club.

"It's impossible to say how we'll be before kick-off, hopefully no more of the lads will go down with it."

Yeovil are flying at the moment and are on a four game winning run culminating in a 4-1 hammering of Cambridge United at the Abbey Stadium last weekend.

This week they have signed Halifax Town winger Lee Elam on loan for a month.

The 27-year-old former Southport and Morecambe player goes straight into the Glovers' squad for tomorrow's game.

"Yeovil are a very good side, well disciplined, well organised and play with lots of energy and pace," said Preece.

"Of all the teams we've had watched this season they are certainly one of the best.

"After playing Oxford and Hull in recent home matches we'll now see how we fare against another of the early pacesetters."

Whoever pulls on a white shirt tomorrow, Preece will be hoping his side carry on from where they left off at Darlington last week.

They scored three quality goals in a 3-1 triumph and looked a different side that tamely lost 4-0 to Oxford a week earlier.

"We've been working on our concentration and hopefully won't switch off like we have done in certain games," he added.

"Physically and ability-wise we are a match for any team but we need to be mentally stronger."

There's good news about long term injury victims George Clegg and Matt Barrass this week.

Both played an hour in a midweek practice game and are on course for a full 90 minute run-out in the reserves.

The squad has also received a boost with the news that Harpal Singh and Phil Gulliver have had their loan deals extended by another month.

Both their clubs, Leeds United and Middlesbrough, are happy for them to stop at Gigg longer while Glen Whelan's stay could be interrupted by a call-up to the Republic of Ireland's Under-20 squad that's heading for a FIFA Youth competition in the United Arab Emirates.

"We will talk to the Football League and Manchester City to see if we can take Glen for the two weeks before the tournament then get him back for the two weeks afterwards," said Preece.

The competition is expected to run until the third week in December.