BURY have suffered a devastating injury blow after full-back Matt Barrass suffered a cartilage injury in training.

The youngster, already rated at £200,000 after breaking into the Bury team last season, could be out for up to six weeks, writes Steve Canavan.

It's a huge blow for the player himself because he has only just recovered from a mystery virus which left him physically exhausted and ruled him out of the first few games.

The injury blow leaves Shakers boss Andy Preece with a real problem because the only other right back at the club - Lee Unsworth, signed from Crewe during the summer - has still not recovered from the ankle ligament injury he picked up against Northampton earlier in the season.

The Bury manager will be forced to make changes to the defence which has started the season so well and lifted the Shakers to fourth from top in the Division.

"It is a massive blow for us," admitted a disappointed Preece, whose side is looking to bounce back from Saturday's disappointing defeat at bottom club Oxford against Port Vale at Gigg Lane on Saturday. "It's a shame for Matt because he's only just got over his other injury and he was playing well. It means both our right backs are out because Lee Unsworth won't be fit in time for Saturday.

"We'll have to look at what options we've got and switch it round a bit. There are three or four players who are in with a chance but we'll make a decision nearer the time."

One of the men in with a chance is centre-back Danny Swailes, who could be set to make his first start of the season.