UNDER fire Shakers players will be out to prove a point to their coaching staff after having their hunger for promotion called into question this week.

Bury travel to leaders Hartlepool on Friday night, desperate to redeem themselves for their miserable defeat against strugglers Bristol Rovers on Tuesday.

That result prompted some searching questions from manager Andy Preece and assistant Graham Barrow, whose patience hangs by a thread after a season of inconsistency.

With mere goal difference separating Shakers from third-placed Bournemouth, automatic promotion is still a viable target. But two or three more defeats could send them plunging into mid-table and out of touch.

Now Preece is desperate to shake up his squad and save their league season from disaster.

"I have asked the players how much they want this. The teams around us keep giving us the opportunities but we keep wasting them," he said.

"We don't seem to want to take the bull by the horns, get third place sewn up and get promoted.

"We beat the team in third place one day and lose to second bottom the next.

"You never know which players are going to turn out for you and that's so frustrating as a manager.

"I have asked the players if they have the desire or if they want to stay Third Division players for the rest of their lives."

Barrow added to the verbal lashing, claiming the players were struggling to keep their focus against the smaller teams.

"They have to find a way of motivating themselves for every game, not just against the big teams," he said.

"They have to decide whether or not they really want to achieve something for this club and for their own careers. If they do, they'll have to pull their socks up.

"It's frustrating for myself and Andy because we know what this team can do. It's simply a case of them asking themselves, 'what do I want out of this game?'

"Some of our players have a lack of responsibility and that has to change."

Definitely missing tonight are Ian Lawson, ankle, Matt Barrass, Simon Whaley and Chris Billy, all with knee injuries.

Danny Swailes has a slight hamstring strain but should feature, as should gutsy Jamie Stuart, who is expected to play despite picking up a broken nose in the same game.

Martyn Forrest, who started the season as captain but has been on the sidelines for months, may also get a recall.

For Stuart, it is a return to the ground that he made his debut for the Shakers in an LDV Vans first round tie last season.