SHAKERS boss Andy Preece reckons his charges already have a psychological edge on their play-off rivals.

If, as expected, Scunthorpe, Bournemouth and Lincoln all hold on to their top seven spots during the final weekend of the regular season, then Bury will enter the knockout phase of their promotion bid knowing they have not lost to any of their potential opponents this season.

With a win and a draw against both Scunthorpe and Lincoln to add to a double success over the Cherries, Bury have dropped just four points from a possible 18 against their fellow promotion chasers.

And Preece claims that must make his charges favourites to be celebrating at the Millennium Stadium later this month.

"The players are excited and talking about the teams we might be facing in the play-offs. They know we've done the double against Bournemouth and haven't lost to the other two," he said.

"So, if the table stays the same, we will have a definite psychological advantage and that will give the players a lot of confidence.

"We know it's going to be hard, though. All those matches against those three sides have been really tough."

Preece is set to give a host of fringe players a chance to impress in Saturday's clash with already promoted Wrexham.

Danny Swailes, Terry Dunfield and Preece himself will be among the players bidding to break into the reckoning for the road to Cardiff.

"It's great to have a look at some of the lads on the fringe of the first team because you never know when we'll need them," he said.

"We had to rearrange the squad after we lost David Nugent last week and that could easily happen to someone else, so we have to be ready.

"There are a few players who need games. Danny Swailes has been unlucky to be out of the side, as have Paul O'Shaughnessy and Terry Dunfield.

"There are a few that need a game so, if they're needed, they'll be spot on."