Bury v Oldham preview

Team news ahead of Saturday's League One clash between Bury and Oldham at Gigg Lane.

Last Updated: 27/04/12 at 12:40   

Picken: Set to start for Bury

Picken: Set to start for Bury

Bury will be without suspended defender Andrai Jones.

Jones received a second booking in the closing stages of last weekend's 4-2 win over Notts County, a victory that secured League One status for Richie Barker's side next season.

Phil Picken is expected to come in for the 20-year-old in what will be his first appearance since featuring as a substitute in the 4-1 triumph over Chesterfield on Easter Monday.

Elsewhere, Barker has a fully fit squad to choose from and is expected to stick with a swashbuckling 4-4-2 formation.

The Shakers have four wins in five outings on the back of 13 without victory, scoring 11 times in the process, and skipper Steven Schumacher believes the tactical changes has been vital in this turnaround.

"During the middle part of the season, we had to change formation (to 4-5-1) to be a little more solid," he told The Bury Times. "I think it was necessary, but, thankfully, we've gone back to what we're good at and we've taken our performances on from last year to this year."

Oldham boss Paul Dickov is expected to give some of his fringe players an opportunity to impress.

Last weekend's 1-1 draw at home to Preston guaranteed Latics' League One status for next season.

James Tarkowski, who has impressed by making 24 appearances in his breakthrough season at Boundary Park, is in line to feature and could be joined by fellow teenage defender Carl Winchester.

Connor Hughes, David Mellor and Kirk Millar may all come into contention in midfield, although Dickov is unlikely to make wholesale changes.

Goalkeeper Alex Cisak and midfielder James Wesolowski are recovering well from shoulder injuries, but Dickov confirmed they will not be risked again this term.

"Thankfully for us Alex doesn't need an operation," he told Oldham's official website. "I think it would be stupid to put him in before the end of the season. (James') situation is similar to Alex. Is it worth risking a player for the last game of the season when he has been out for 12 weeks."

Football365 Facebook Fan Page

The Football365 fan page is a great place to meet like minded people, have football related discussions and make new friends.

Sky Bet

    • Retrieving latest Sky Bet odds

League One Fixtures

Sunday, 19 May 2013
13:30
Brentford v Yeovil

npower League 1

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Doncaster 46 18 84
2 Bournemth 46 23 83
3 Brentford 46 15 79
4 Yeovil 46 15 77
5 Sheff Utd 46 14 75
6 Swindon 46 33 74
7 Leyton Or 46 7 71
8 MK Dons 46 17 70
9 Walsall 46 7 68
10 Crawley 46 1 68
11 Tranmere 46 10 67
12 Notts Co 46 12 65
13 Crewe 46 -8 64
14 Preston 46 5 59
15 Coventry 46 7 55
16 Shrewsbury 46 -6 55
17 Carlisle 46 -21 55
18 Stevenage 46 -17 54
19 Oldham 46 -13 51
20 Colchester 46 -21 51
21 Scunthorpe 46 -24 48
22 Bury 46 -28 41
23 Hartlepool 46 -28 41
24 Portsmouth 46 -18 32

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

Footer 365

Hodgson plea for clubs' help

England boss Roy Hodgson has called for Manchester City and Tottenham to follow Chelsea's lead and release players early.

Bundesliga: Fortuna down in dramatic finale as Hoffenheim and Augsburg escape

Fortuna Dusseldorf were relegated from the Bundesliga as Hoffenheim and Augsburg staged final-day escape acts.

Hibs and Saints win, Dons draw

David Wotherspoon clinched a 1-0 win for Hibs over Dundee, while St Mirren also won and Aberdeen and Hearts shared a 1-1 draw.

Mail Box

James Collins Is Only 29. Tough Paper Round

He is one of a number of solid shouts for players that look old before their time. We also have the final words on lovely D-Beck and a rejection of end of season playoffs...

Without Posh, Becks Could Have Been Scholes

That's one opinion, but others give their thanks to the man. We also have ideas for a relegation playoff, happy memories of the season and a defence of Liverpool's campaign...

© 2013 British Sky Broadcasting Ltd. All Rights Reserved