Youth team manager Richie Barker has been charged with steadying the Bury ship for their clash with Oxford at Gigg Lane.

The Shakers were rocked by Alan Knill's decision to quit Gigg Lane for Championship strugglers Scunthorpe United on Thursday.

Now the fourth-placed side must regroup quickly in order to maintain their promotion push.

Star Bury striker Ryan Lowe told Shakers World: "It's been tough, and a bit emotional as well. But we've got to be professional and from a player's point of view we've just got to go out there and do our best regardless of who's on the touchline.

"We've got to push forward, we've got eight massive games left.

"This a message to the fans - we need you more than anything now. We've been grateful all season away from home and at home, but we just need that extra little bit of singing us along or shouting us along - we don't need any negativity at Gigg Lane or from now until the end of the season.

"All we need is positivity, all I can say is if you're going to come with negativity, then stay away because we don't need it."

Bury decided to put Barker in charge after directors met senior players Ryan Lowe and Efe Sodje yesterday morning.

Barker joined Bury from his role as assistant head of youth at Scunthorpe at the start of the season. In a 16-year playing career he turned out for Sheffield Wednesday, Brighton, Macclesfield, Rotherham, Mansfield and Hartlepool.

Suspended skipper Steven Schumacher will assist Barker in the dugout.

Bury league form: WDLLD

Oxford league form: LWLWW

Key opponent: Steve MacLean - scored two last time out so confidence will be high

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