SHACKLED striker Gareth Seddon will finally escape the substitutes bench as Shakers take on the last of the Division Two drop-outs on Tuesday night.

After beating Huddersfield and taking a draw from Saturday's clash with Cheltenham, Bury are looking to maintain their unbeaten run against their relegated rivals when they travel to Mansfield.

And, with David Nugent struggling with an ankle injury, they will turn to Gareth Seddon to continue his impressive resurgence and lead their charge into the play-off zone.

Seddon finished the 2001-02 season as the club's joint top scorer and would have bagged a sackful more goals but for a persistant strain of injuries which have crippled his career for the past 18 months.

This summer he was handed a three-month contract and warned that his future was bleak if he could not prove his fitness this term.

But his performances as substitute so far have propelled him back into the limelight, and now he is ready to go the distance against the Stags.

"He did well when he came on against Cheltenham and looked lively and hungry," said manager Andy Preece.

"He made a difference and is eager to get back involved. It's great to have him back."

Nugent joins longer term absentees Matt Barrass, George Clegg and Terry Dunfield on the sidelines for the clash at Field Mill.

The game should provide another stern test for Bury, who are still sat in a strong position in the top half of the table after a tough run of fixtures.

And Preece reckons his charges have already faced most of the prime candidates for promotion.

"I think a lot of the sides we have played recently like Swansea, Scunthorpe, Huddersfield, and Cheltenham will be in the top half at the end of the season," he said.

"Mansfield too, I saw them in the Carling Cup against Sunderland and they looked a decent side, especially at home.

"It'll be a tough game and we'll have to be up for it. They have scored ten goals in their three home games so far so it'll be a real test."