GIGG Lane could be bursting at the seams when Lancashire rivals Burnley make their first league visit for half a century.

The Turf Moor club's fans are threatening to outnumber Shakers supporters on their own territory with up to 5,000 expected to make the short trip down the M66.

With both clubs handily placed among the frontrunners of a wide open division, the match has all the ingredients for a night of drama and high octane atmosphere.

Burnley supporters will occupy both ends of the ground on a night when the rebuilt Manchester Road End of the ground will open for the first time.

They had sold 3,200 tickets by yesterday afternoon and, with fans able to pay on the night, they are expected to boost the crowd to more than double the previous highest of the season.

Both sides will be desperate to clinch all three points after suffering frustrating defeats on Saturday.

The Shakers will have manager Stan Ternent's words of fury still ringing in their ears after dreadful marking cost them a victory they looked more than capable of earning at lowly Walsall.

Searching for their first win in seven matches, the focus will also be on the three-man strikeforce which has struck just one goal in the last six matches - and that from the penalty spot.

Ternent faces an anxious wait to learn whether a number of key players will be fit to face his home town club tonight.

Gordon Armstrong (hamstring), Ian Hughes (ankle) and Ronnie Jepson (knee) all missed Saturday's defeat when club skipper David Pugh made a successful 30 minute comeback following his broken elbow.

Bury's other long term injury victim Chris Lucketti also played his first competitive match with a 30 minute outing in the 'A' team and could be a shock inclusion tonight if Paul Butler (shin injury) joins Hughes on the sidelines.

Meanwhile, Ternent was today relishing Burnley first league visit since 1946/47 when a 26,000 crowd produced record receipts of the time of just over £2,000.

"Burnley is a mega club and they will be expecting to win promotion this season," he said.

A limited number of family stand tickets will be available tonight. Tickets for both Bury and Burnley fans can be bought on the night.

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