TERRY Dunfield's Gigg Lane loan experience is to continue a while longer.
Manchester City boss Kevin Keegan yesterday agreed to let the young Canadian midfielder stay with the Shakers for another month and that's music to the ears of his Bury counterpart Andy Preece.
Preece has been delighted by the form of the gifted 20-year-old and is thrilled that he can call on such a promising young talent for another four weeks.
"I know Kevin Keegan thought about taking him back but he's decided Terry is gaining good experience," said Preece.
"The lad's done really well while he's been with us and is thoroughly enjoying himself, it's a situation that is working out well for both clubs and the player."
Preece admits to having something of a selection conundrum ahead of tonight's LDV Vans Trophy first round clash against local rivals Rochdale at Spotland.
Should he rest some of his first team squad or put out his strongest team for a game that is sure to be a tough one?
"One or two of our reserve players probably deserve a run out in the first team and I'll have to weigh up the options," he said.
"We are desperate to win the tie, being a local derby it's a big one for our fans and will have extra spice.
"Rochdale are a strong side and have been there or thereabouts at the top of our division for the past couple of seasons.
"They are up there this time too but have lost their last two games so will be fired up for tonight."
There are no injury problems following Saturday's morale-boosting away win at Rushden & Diamonds and the squad will be strengthened by the inclusion of Lenny Johnrose who has rejoined the Shakers on a short term contract.
Rochdale player-boss Paul Simpson's last game in the LDV Vans Trophy back in March this year was one he'll remember.
The former Manchester City winger was part of the Blackpool side that took the trophy following a 4-1 mauling of Cambridge United at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium.
The Shakers will be determined to make sure Simpson isn't celebrating at the end of tonight's match.
Another sterling defensive display like the one at Rushden on Saturday would go down a treat when the manager was more than happy with the individual performances of his back line.
"We have been gifting teams goals with bad backpasses and miskicks in recent weeks," he said.
"If teams are good enough to pass round us and open us up you sometimes have to hold up your hand but too many of the goals we've conceded have come from sloppy individual errors.
"There was none of that at the weekend. We did ever so well to restrict a team like that to so few chances."
Kick-off at Spotland is 7.45pm.
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