ANDY Preece has shrugged off calls for him to concentrate on management by vowing to carry on playing for as long as he can.

Pundits like former Manchester United star Arthur Albiston and former City winger Eddie McGoldrick have spoken on local radio stations advising Preece to quit playing in order to focus all his attention on halting Bury's recent slump.

But the determined Shaker's boss has no such intentions.

"Were people saying things like this when we were second in the league?" asked Preece. "Everyone has got their own opinions and I expect them to say these things but I've got no thoughts of stopping playing.

"I'm still only 33 and I think I've got a lot to offer. I'm still doing a job for the team and in the last three games I feel I've done okay.

"When I'm not playing I've had experienced managers coming up to me saying they can't believe it and that I should be on the pitch so everyone has a different view.

"Being a player manager isn't easy but I think I've got to grips with it and we are still in a good league position."

Preece pointed out that youth coach Andy Feeley now has a wider involvement with first team affairs and sits on the bench every week which adds an extra viewpoint.

"i speak to him at half time and he tells me what he thinks which is useful," added the boss. "He is someone who isn't in the thick of the action so he has a different view of it."

Preece has more to worry about than one or two sniping critics. As well as trying to end a five-match unbeaten run stretching back to October 6 against Luton tomorrow, he is also facing a race against time to be fit.

The manager picked up a hamstring strain at Wigan and has been limping all week. He will make a final decision on his fitness this afternoon.

Preece is desperate to win tomorrow's clash because another loss would see the Shakers slide further away from the leading pack.

He has been on the phone talking to different Premiership managers since Monday in an attempt to bring in a striker on loan but has had no luck.

However, the boss is still confident about the outcome of tomorrow's match.

"We're at home against a team near the bottom of the league so we should win and I'm expecting to get the three points," said Preece.

"I want to get this wretched run out of the way and get people saying positive things again."

Preece won't reveal his team until just before kick off but once again faces his hardest choice up front.

Though he was pleased with the performances of himself and Adrian Littlejohn at Wigan he knows they failed to hit the target yet again.

That could mean a recall for Baichung Bhutia or maybe Paul Barnes, who would be making his first appearance since the controversial Bournemouth match when he was relentlessly booed.