BURY fans who saw Bolton lose 3-1 to Sunderland in a reserve game at Gigg Lane this week got a sneak preview of some players who will face the Shakers in the Worthington Cup second round on Wednesday.

Manager Sam Allardyce admitted he wasn't impressed with his team's performance but was happy that the game at least provided much-needed match practice for several players.

Striker Chris Armstrong, midfielders Jay-Jay Okocha, Stig Tofting and Bulent Akin, as well as defender David Holdsworth, all got invaluable mileage into their legs. Some will get another run against the Shakers at the Reebok as Allardyce looks certain to rest his current first-team stars ahead of the Premiership trip to Middlesbrough three days later.

Sam said: "Chris Armstrong did 80 minutes and I might look at him for the Bury match."

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