SHAKERS boss Andy Preece has vowed his side will not be taking their LDV Vans Trophy showdown with Tranmere Rovers lightly as they bid to take a giant stride down the road to Cardiff tonight.

The smallest of all the domestic trophies is finally beginning to win a place in the hearts of fans, players and managers.

And Second Division Tranmere's decision to field a full strength line-up is testimony to how the competition has grown in significance from an extra string of reserve fixtures to a route to some genuine silverware.

Now Preece has revealed that cup fever is once again sweeping through the changing rooms at Gigg Lane following their double disappointment in the Worthington and FA competitions last month.

"This is a really big game for us because we are not far away from the final now," he said. "This is a big competition for the likes of Bury and Tranmere. It's our FA Cup in a way because we are at the stage now where both teams will be thinking 'We've got a big chance of winning this.'

"So we will be putting a strong side out because we want to get through. All through this competition I have only put sides out who I genuinely believed could win the game and that's what I'll stick to."

Preece was playing his cards close to his chest over team selection but he has plenty in the deck to pick from, with only George Clegg and Gareth Seddon ruled out through lack of match fitness.

The match should be a fascinating encounter with Tranmere having just two away wins all season and Bury struggling to find consistent home form.

Rovers, though, emphasised their mental toughness by keeping their nerve to clinch a golden goal victory away to Macclesfield in the last round of the competition.

But they could be without a string of injured first team regulars including top scorer Simon Haworth.

They are expected to be without a string of injured first team stars, not least top goalscorer Simon Haworth, but Preece is nonetheless confident his side will be given a tough time.

"They are a very strong side and we have to match that aspect of their game," he said.

"We know all about their strengths but we also know from our performances against Barnsley and Rochdale in the earlier rounds that we are more than capable of causing an upset."