STAN Ternent has turned down Bury's offer to help current manager Chris Casper guide the club to safety.

The Shakers board offered the former Gigg Lane boss a short-term deal to help the struggling side avoid relegation to the Conference - but Ternent claims his return to the club would harm morale in the camp.

Talking exclusively to The Bolton News, Ternent confirmed that contact had been made by the club, and backed Casper to steer them to safety - starting with tomorrow's six-pointer at Boston.

"Bury is a club I hold very dear to my heart. I am the most successful manager they have ever had and they mean a great deal to me," Ternent said.

"If there is anything I could do to help them, I would. But if I were to come in at this stage of the season with seven games to go - I'm afraid it would do nothing but upset the apple cart.

"Chris Casper is a bright young manager who is making his way in the game. For me to come in at this stage; I have only seen the team play once or twice in the last few years, would do nothing at all.

"I'm sorry if any of this has affected the players or staff at Bury - and I wish them the best of luck for the rest of the season."

The Pilgrims have seven first-team players currently on the sidelines and will give late fitness tests to midfielder Stuart Talbot (calf) and striker David Farrell (back).

Casper has promised changes to his side following their 1-0 defeat at home to Notts County last weekend, leaving the door open to John Fitzgerald, Tom Youngs, Marc Pugh and Colin Woodthorpe for a first team return.

"I have players fit and ready to come back into the side, and I am willing to use them," said Casper.

"I need to change things around a bit because last week was just not good enough."

Bury have never won at Boston since they gained promotion to the Football League in 2001/2, but Chris Casper said he is the man for the job.

"It has got to that stage where we know the importance of the game, and know we need a result," he said.

"When things are going well I am prepared to take the accolades, and I'm just as prepared to take the criticism when things are going wrong.

"If I didn't believe I was the man to get results, I would step aside and let someone else have a go.

"But people can have a look at me - I am positive - and hopefully that will rub off on the squad."

A beneficiary has funded half-price travel for fans to Boston on the official supporters coach, so Casper is banking on a big backing from the Shakers supporters.

"We need to stick together as a team and as a club," he said. "Then when things settle down, people can point the finger and say what had been going wrong."