GORDON Armstrong is hoping to see his Bury career take off after finally shaking off his injury frustrations.

And it couldn't have come at a better time for the Shakers who must successfully negotiate a hectic run-in if they are to pull off a glorious second successive promotion.

With 19 games in the final eleven weeks, injuries and suspensions are almost certainly going to eat into Bury's modestly sized squad and the last thing manager Stan Ternent will need is a player of Armstrong's experience and quality pedigree unavailable.

That's why Gigg Lane heaved a huge sigh of relief when doctors finally got to the root of the mystery hamstring injury which repeatedly robbed him of the chance to show why Bury were so excited to have won the race for his signature in the summer.

No sooner did he break back into the team than the injury - later diagnosed as being back-related - flared up again and he was back on the treatment table.

Bury were ready to resort to surgery but tried extensive traction treatment first and it seems to have done the trick.

He has been back on the substitutes bench for the last three games and now he is desperate to add to his disappointing tally of just seven starts.

"I've played around 450 games in league and cup throughout my career and I have always been really lucky until this season," he says.

"The problems was that one of my discs in the back has been slightly out. If your back is out it affects everything.

"It wasn't serious enough to have surgery, although if it went again I would have to have an operation. I had traction treatment for a month to six weeks which involved a lot of stretching

"Now I just want to get my chance back in the first team again. I've hardly played and while it's great to see the team winning I would like to do my bit for the club.

"With such a busy period coming up there are going to be injuries and suspensions so I would think I'll get a chance somewhere along the line."

A midfielder by trade, he has already impressed in the left sided wing back berth for which he looks destined with skipper David Pugh out for the season and current No 3 John' O'Kane at the end of his month on loan.

He added: "I have played all my career in midfield but I'd be happy to play anywhere.

"It is going to be difficult to get one of the two midfield roles because the gaffa has got Nick (Daws) and Lenny (Johnrose) working really hard.

"Before the season the idea was the play three in midfield but the gaffa changed to a more positive approach with two in the middle and three up front.

"Maybe he thought we wouldn't get as many goals with that system and the switch has paid off."

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