A MANCHESTER United fan who has already put the skids under City once this season could be all set to do it again in tomorrow's vital relegation six-pointer at Maine Road.

Shakers striker Tony Ellis, Salford-born and a keen Reds supporter, fired home a crucial Coca-Cola Cup shootout penalty for Blackpool against City back in August to bundle the Blues out of the competition in the first round.

And after opening his Gigg Lane goal account against Port Vale last weekend, Bury boss Stan Ternent reckons he could just be in the mood to pile more misery on Frank Clark's underachievers.

"The goal Tony scored last weekend will have done his confidence no harm at all and I'm absolutely delighted for him," said the Shakers chief.

"I've never lost confidence in his ability, he's been threatening to do that since he arrived and with Nigel Jemson joining him up front and Rob Matthews back in the reckoning I'm well pleased with the strikeforce we now have."

He added: "With due respect to other teams in our division, there's nowhere else I'd rather be playing tomorrow than at Maine Road. There's no better place to bring an end to our run of games without a win and it would be great if Tony could get on the scoresheet again.

"There's no reason for us to fear City, we have lost fewer games than half of the teams in our division so we know what we are capable of.

"As you can imagine, all the players are up for it and it will be a great occasion for our fans who can play a big part for us. "Our away support has been fantastic in the three years I've been here and I'm sure they'll be no different tomorrow."

A crowd of around 30,000 is expected at Maine Road with the Shakers due to take their biggest away following of the season.

Ternent can add Peter Swan to the 14 that drew 2-2 with Port Vale last weekend but Adrian Randall is a doubt with a calf strain and long-term injury victims Dean West and David Pugh are still a way off.

City, who dropped into their lowest ever league slot following Tranmere Rovers' 3-0 victory over Swindon Town on Tuesday, will be missing Murtaz Shelia, Paul Dickov and Michael Brown who are serving suspensions.

Mercurial Georgian Gio Kinkladze, the Shakers' chief tormentor in the 1-1 draw at Gigg Lane in September, is set to play after completing 90 minutes of a friendly in Malta on Wednesday.

One man in the Bury camp who could be forgiven for having thoughts elsewhere at 3pm tomorrow is goalkeeper Dean Kiely.

February 14 is the date his fiancee Tracey has been given for the birth of their son, Mason - so hopes are high of a double Valentine's Day celebration in the Kiely household!

BURY have a handful of tickets left from their allocation of 2,300, though City have agreed to open a cash turnstile on the day (£10) for uncovered seating between the North and Kippax Stands.

SPECIAL VIP package places are available in the restaurant for the Shakers' Tuesday night home clash against Stoke City.

A total cost of £29.50 (or £15.50 for season ticket holders) gets you a four course meal in the Starkies pitchside restaurant, half-time refreshments, complimentary programme, bar facilities before and after the match, a sports quiz and a main stand seat for the game.

To book your place ring 0161-705 2144.

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