"I'M no quitter" is the battlecry from Bury boss Andy Preece ahead of tonight's LDV Cup match at Hartlepool.

Despite watching his team pick up just two points from a possible 33 and slump to the foot of the Second Division, Preece says he has no intention of walking out on the club.

He made his comments after a small section of fans turned on him during the defeat at Cambridge.

"It is obvious they will show their frustrations. If I thought a change would do the club any good then I would go," said Preece.

"But I know the players better than anyone here and I know I can get the most out of them. I'll continue to do that until I get the right blend.

"Graham's come in and we will sort it out. I know I will get them doing the right things eventually. We will keep pumping it into them until they become aware of their jobs."

Considering Bury's league position, there has been remarkably little discord amongst the fans.

Perhaps they realise the huge obstacles Preece faces. When asked if he is looking to bring new faces in, the Bury boss replied: "I'd love to but I can't. Simple as that."

What makes it worse is the injury crisis.

No fewer than 12 players are crowding into Alan Raw's physio room to get treatment for a bewildering array of cuts and knocks.

Chris Armstrong is the latest to be struck by the Gigg Lane injury curse. The 19-year-old was only released from hospital yesterday afternoon after suffering concussion symptoms following a blow to the head at Cambridge on Saturday.

Sam Collins, Nicky Hill and Lee Unsworth; midfielders Chris Billy, Lee Connell David Borley and Darren Bullock; and strikers Baichung Bhutia, Ian Lawson and Preece himself are all either missing or extremely doubtful with Billy the likeliest to play should his thigh strain improve.

Trialist Jamie Stuart, released by Millwall, could start tonight (kick off 7.45pm).

At home at left back or as a central defender Stuart, who celebrated his 25th birthday yesterday, looked to have a glittering career ahead of him before testing positive for drugs.

Preece has been impressed with what he's seen in training and would have no hesitation in throwing him into the fray tonight.