BURY boss Stan Ternent today refused to reveal whether he will give Phil Stant his first start of the season tomorrow.

Stant is one of only three strikers available to Ternent who has played with three up front in every game this season.

But the boss refused to confirm the veteran goalscorer - who he insists he wants to keep at Gigg Lane after blocking a loan move to Torquay United last week - will line up alongside Mark Carter and Rob Matthews at home to Bristol Rovers tomorrow.

"He might play, he might not - I'm not telling you," he said.

Ternent's alternatives would be to switch his formation or play somebody else out of position.

Hit by a one-match ban to striker David Johnson and injuries to fellow front man Ronnie Jepson, midfielders Gordon Armstrong and Shaun Reid, Ternent boosted his squad yesterday with the loan signing of 21-year-old John O'Kane from Manchester United.

The left sided midfielder or defender is a product of Old Trafford's successful youth scheme. His brief flirtation with the first team has included Coca-Cola and FA Cup appearances and one league appearance.

He was on the bench for the midweek Coca-Cola Cup victory over Swindon Town and goes straight into the Bury squad for tomorrow's clash against a Rovers side who promise to be a tough nut to crack.

Ternent warned: "They play an organised 4-4-2 formation and give nothing away. They are well disciplined and will be hard to break down."

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