BURY have appointed Graham Barrow as first team coach until the end of the season.

The vastly-experienced Barrow will stand in for cancer victim Billy Ayre until he is able to resume his coaching duties.

The new man will get to work this morning (Friday) and help manager Andy Preece in preparations for tomorrow's tough trip to Reading.

The 47-year-old's playing career began at non-league Altrincham. From there he joined Wigan Athletic and Chester City where he earned a reputation as an uncompromising midfielder.

He later managed the Deva outfit and led them to promotion from the Fourth Division before taking the reins at another of his former clubs Wigan Athletic.

A takeover at Wigan brought his stint there to an end despite them being in fifth place and spells at Rochdale and as assistant boss at Notts County also followed.

"It's great to be able to bring Graham in," said Preece. "With his undoubted experience he can do the job that Billy was doing for us until his illness.

"Although I haven't worked with him before I've had a number of run-ins with him on the field so I know what a great competitor he is!"

Following Tuesday's 0-4 debacle at Oldham Preece's options have been further reduced by a number of injuries ahead of the trip to Berkshire.

Full-back Lee Unsworth (ankle) and central defender George Syros (hamstring) are both unlikely to feature.

As for Reading they look like being without ever-present full-back Graham Murty while former Shakers favourite Phil Parkinson will sit out the game as he is on the final game of a three match suspension.

"Obviously it's a difficult game for us but there is nowhere better to go to end our bad run," added Preece.

"We really need to get something out of the game to give everyone a lift for the home match against Wycombe next Tuesday."

The club have an eleven day break after that match and Preece reckons it couldn't have come at a better time.

"It will give Graham a good chance to get to know the lads and try some things out," he said.

"Sometimes you don't want a break during the season but on this occasion I believe it will do us good."