PRESTON striker Pawel Abbott is back in the Gigg Lane fold -- albeit for a fortnight writes Phil Thorp

The Polish under-21 international has sensationally returned to the Shakers to complete his three-month loan spell that ended in mid-October.

The talented Abbott -- a £125,000 signing from LKS Lodz in February 2001 -- was recalled to Deepdale two weeks short of his scheduled stay at Gigg Lane after North End boss Craig Brown suffered an injury crisis among his strikers.

But Bury boss Andy Preece reckons Abbott is just the man to rejuvenate his misfiring forwards as the club go into a run of three crucial home matches against fellow promotion chasers.

Abbott will be eligible for four league games for the Shakers, tonight's clash against second-placed Rushden & Diamonds, Saturday's home match against Lincoln City, next Tuesday's Oxford United game at Gigg and the following Saturday's game at Darlington.

And everyone involved with the Shakers will be hoping he can reproduce the form that made him a massive favourite with the Gigg Lane fans during his early season stay.

"It's a good move for us as it isn't going to cost us a lot of money," said Preece. "Pav will give us a big boost because we all know what he can do and I really felt a fresh face was needed.

"The four games he can play for us are vitally important and he will give us more options than we currently have."

Preece was told at a board meeting on Friday that financial constraints will not allow him to recruit fresh personnel in the closing stages of the season so the decision to secure Abbott's services for even a short spell is a bonus.

The striker returned from international duty with the Polish squad yesterday and is expected to play some part in tonight's match (kick-off 7.45pm).

Abbott's arrival could give Colin Cramb the chance to re-charge his batteries after a run of eight consecutive matches.

The Scot had been thrown in at the deep end by Preece after being out of action for months with knee ligament damage.

But in that time he has come up with a couple of crucial goals, a fact that wasn't lost on the Shakers manager.

"Crammy has played eight games in a row and for the length of time he's been out of action that is good going.

Winning

"We wanted to bring him on gradually but as things turned out he has had to play.

"We knew he wouldn't be firing on all cylinders at first but he has still grabbed two vital winning goals for us against Cambridge and Bournemouth.

"By the time we go into the final matches of the season he will be back to his best and fully fit, we are looking to the long term with him.

"He's paid his way but knows he can do better but it's hard when you have been out of the game for so long."

The Bury boss has something of an injury crisis of his own at present with midfielder Chris Billy (knee) and full back Lee Unsworth (groin) both being given as long as possible to prove their fitness.

Both missed Saturday's 0-0 draw at Macclesfield as did central defender Steve Redmond (ankle) who isn't expected to recover in time.

Full back Jamie Stuart (virus), who had to be substituted at half time at the Moss Rose, is back in training and improving all the time although midfielder Paul O'Shaughnessy (tonsilitis) has also reported for duty but probably won't be 100 per cent in time to make the starting line-up.

With winger Simon Whaley pulling up with an ankle problem yesterday and new-boy Chris Porter feeling his groin in the same training session it looks like being a busy time for club physio Lee Nobes in the next few days!

"We have been lucky with injuries so far this season but just at the minute we have a spate of them," added Preece.

"The main thing is we send out people who are 100 per cent fit. At this stage of the season it's all about total commitment.

"There's no hiding from it this is a massive time for us starting with the Rushden game tonight.

"This match and the Lincoln and Oxford ones are games we can't afford to lose.

"We did ever so well down there and picked up a deserved win and Rushden will be smarting about that.

"There's no way they will underestimate us and it will be tough, as every game has been this season.

"They are on a good little run at the moment and have won three of their last four matches opening up a gap between themselves and third place."

Amazingly the draw in Cheshire dropped the Shakers to tenth at the weekend yet they still moved a point nearer that coveted third spot currently held by Scunthorpe United.

"It's unbelievable just how tight this division is," said Preece.

"One or two teams have games in hand on us and we have them on others.

"It will change right until the end of the season but if we can win these three games it puts a lot of pressure on the other teams."