FEARS that the Shakers could lose Chris Lucketti and Andy Gray for vital games have proved unfounded.

Central defender Lucketti finished Tuesday night's Coca-Cola Cup tie against Crewe in agony and with his left hand heavily bandaged.

X-rays taken at Bury General Hospital on Wednesday revealed a broken bone but he will be able to play wearing a specially constructed rubber cast.

"I hurt my hand in the first few minutes of the Crewe game when I fell awkwardly," confirmed Lucketti. "It was hurting so much that I had to take pain killers at half-time.

"The doctors have confirmed that there is a bone broken in the back of the hand which will take six weeks or so to mend. However, they assure me I will be able to play on and I don't intend to miss any games.

"I'm looking forward to Wolves tomorrow it is a real big stage for us to show how far we have progressed. Playing at grounds like Molineux in front of a 20,000 crowd is what we are in the game for. The lads can't wait to get there and I intend to be with them."

Gray's potential problem came courtesy of a yellow card against Crewe, his second Coca-Cola Cup booking of the season.

This term cautions count for the competitions in which they are received and it was thought that Gray might miss the next round. However, the Football Association have confirmed that it takes three bookings in the Coca-Cola Cup before a one-match ban is imposed. That will delight Gray who was a happy man after an all-action display on Tuesday night. Named man-of-the-match by the sponsors, the former England midfielder looked the fittest man on the pitch.

"I'm really enjoying myself here and it seems the fans have taken to me," said the former England international. "Four years ago when I was a big, fatty everyone was writing me off so I must be doing something right if I'm looking the freshest man on the pitch at the end of a hard game."

Gray and Lucketti are certainties to line up against Wolves tomorrow on a ground where Bury haven't won since 1919.

Skipper David Pugh is also back in the reckoning after coming through a reserve outing against Walsall on Wednesday night. The second string drew 1-1 with the Shakers' goal coming from Richard Irving who has nudged closer to earning a full-time contract from boss Stan Ternent.

BURY will play Sunderland in the second round of the Coca-Cola Cup.

The first leg is at the Stadium of Light on September 16 with the second leg a week later.

"It is a cracking draw for us," reckoned Bury boss Stan Ternent. "At the very least I'll be able to get the ten quid that Peter Reid owes me from when I beat him at head tennis recently!"

"Reidy reckons it'll be a match between two managers who never smile, but one of us will be at the end of the tie.

"Seriously, it is a great chance for us to pit our wits against a genuine big club and for the players to show how good they are. The bank manager will also be pleased because the games should attract big gates."

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