BURY old boy Phil Parkinson predicted a nightmare on Elm Park for the faint-hearted tomorrow.

The former Shakers favourite, who misses the First Division clash through suspension, warns that the battle-hungry Shakers will lock horns with a team out of the same fully committed mould.

Reading are still smarting from Tuesday night's controversial 1-0 defeat by Middlesbrough in the quarter-finals of the Coca-Cola Cup. And Parkinson believes Bury could be in line for the backlash.

"We were desperately disappointed to go out of the cup right at the death and through a questionable refereeing decision," he explained.

"But we said in the dressing room straight after that we have to get our minds right for Saturday because this game is even bigger than the Middlesbrough one.

"It's massive because both sides are too near the bottom for comfort and although we are five points clear of Bury we know that gap can quickly be closed up.

"We will give Bury a lot of respect because they are a good side and one thing for sure is that it is going to be a battle.

"Bury are a big, physical team but we have lads in our side with good character who roll up their sleeves and relish this kind of physical test."

Parkinson, who has just signed a new two and a half year contract with Reading, missed the opening day reverse fixture through injury and could not believe his luck when he learned he would not be facing his old club again.

"I would have been available if last Saturday's FA Cup game against Cheltenham hadn't been called off and I was so disappointed because this is one game I was really looking forward to.

"I've got some friends from Bury coming down to stay at my house for the game but it is just not the same when you are not out there.

"I've been hoping the game gets called off so I can play when it's rearranged - so I thought it was just my luck when the skies turned blue the day after the Middlesbrough game.

"If it goes ahead it will be a big battle because our lads are fired up for this one after Tuesday night's defeat.

"I still have a great feeling for Bury and I hope they stay up. But not at the expense of us." Bury's 1-1 draw at Sheffield United last Saturday extended their run without a victory to 10 matches. But they would prefer to point to the positive statistic of not having lost in four.

Manager Stan Ternent is expected to restore Paul Butler to the centre of defence after a two-match suspension and Tony Ellis, cup-tied last Saturday, returns up front in place of Paul Dalglish whose career full debut at Bramall Lane ended with a broken nose which will keep him out for a fortnight.

Ternent remains confident his side can pull themselves away from the relegation zone once they add a killer touch up front to their resilience at the back.

"We need to score an extra goal or two but it will turn for us," he insisted.

"We know that tomorrow's game, like all of them in this division, will be difficult. After getting knocked out of the Coca-Cola Cup in midweek they will be wanting to put together a run in the league."

Rob Matthews' 10-month injury nightmare finally ended today (January 9) when he was given the go-ahead to resume playing.

The Shakers striker has become Gigg Lane's forgotten man since damaging a knee during last season's Second Division title run-in.

But after getting the all-clear from his medical specialist, he is lined up for his first outing tomorrow and a return to first team action by the beginning of next month.

"It has been going well in training," explained Matthews who was manager Stan Ternent's first six-figure signing two years ago.

"Hopefully I'll get a couple of games with the kids then a couple of reserve games and I will be ready for the first team."

He added with a smile: "It's been such a long time since I played I just hope I'm still up to date with the rules - although most rule changes affect the keeper and I never go that far back.

"I'm itching to get back on the pitch, it's getting a bit too cold watching up there in the stands.

"My general fitness is good although I'm going to have to get match fit and that means getting out there and getting some games under my belt.

"I've no real fears about the injury flaring up again because we've taken it gently. Although I've not really been involved in a big tackle so far, I have taken one or two knocks on it without any problems.

"You are wary about how it will stand up to a match situation but that goes out of your mind when you are out there playing."

KEY midfield duo Andy Gray and Mark Patterson are walking a disciplinary tightrope - just three weeks after completing their last suspension.

The pair are only one booking away from another two-game ban which would force manager Stan Ternent to make yet another re-shuffle in his engine room.

Bury have been unbeaten since the pair came into the side, Gray returning four games ago after a massive six-match absence and Patterson beginning his second spell at Gigg Lane three matches ago after serving out a ban that he carried over following his £125,000 transfer from Sheffield United.

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