WITH a firm offer on the table, Stan Ternent is due to be watching from the stands to weigh up whether he wants to be a part of the Shakers' fight against relegation.

The former Gigg Lane boss has been offered the chance to return to the club until the end of the season to help Chris Casper guide the team to safety.

The Shakers have failed to win in their last 16 games and are searching for a change in fortunes soon to avoid being sucked into the bottom two. The club are just three games away from equalling their worst-ever run in the Football League - prompting the board to offer troubleshooter Ternent, who guided the club to two promotions in the 90s, a short-term contract.

He will run the rule over Bury's squad at York Street on Saturday, where they could take a massive step by taking three points from a Boston side who, despite taking seven points from their last nine games, are struggling desperately with injuries.

The Pilgrims have seven first-team players currently on the sidelines and will give late fitness tests to midfielder Stuart Talbot (calf) and striker David Farrell (back).

Casper has promised changes to his side following their 1-0 defeat at home to Notts County last weekend, leaving the door open to John Fitzgerald, Tom Youngs, Marc Pugh and Colin Woodthorpe for a first team return.

"I have players fit and ready to come back into the side, and I am willing to use them," said Casper.

"I need to change things around a bit because last week was just not good enough."

Bury have never won at Boston since they gained promotion to the Football League in 2001/2, but Chris Casper said he is the man for the job.

"It has got to that stage where we know the importance of the game, and know we need a result," he said.

"When things are going well I am prepared to take the accolades, and I'm just as prepared to take the criticism when things are going wrong.

"If I didn't believe I was the man to get results, I would step aside and let someone else have a go.

"But people can have a look at me - I am positive - and hopefully that will rub off on the squad."

A beneficiary has funded half-price travel for fans to Boston on the official supporters coach, so Casper is banking on a big backing from the Shakers supporters.

"We need to stick together as a team and as a club," he said. "Then when things settle down, people can point the finger and say what had been going wrong."