BURY may be heading into today’s crunch relegation battle at home to York without three of their most influential players, but manager David Flitcroft believes they will do so with renewed hope.

The Shakers boss has confirmed Fleetwood full-back Shaun Beeley has been sent back to his parent club after picking up a hamstring injury that will keep him out for up to 10 weeks.

Captain Craig Jones and former Crystal Palace midfielder Tom Soares are also doubtful for today’s vital six-pointer with groin and hamstring injuries, respectively.

But after watching his side come from two goals down at the JD Stadium to draw with promotion hopefuls Scunthorpe United on Boxing Day, Flitcroft believes the first win under his charge is just around the corner.

“I saw the celebrations and that showed they really want to do well for Bury Football Club,” he said, after guiding the Shakers to two draws and a defeat in his first three matches since taking over from caretaker Ronnie Jepson.

“What I am going to turn this team into is a team that want to do well for the group -for each other.

“I don’t like selfish people. I don’t like victims. I don’t really like individuals.

“If you are a team performer and you love being part of a team then you will be very successful here.

“And I saw that. I saw a group of players given a bounce by that result.

“It was a little bit of a confidence shot.

“We have got some good players at this football club so it is my job now to use that belief and mould them into a winning team.”

While Flitcroft may be without some key players today, the 39-year-old has been working around the clock to bring in replacements as soon as the transfer window re-opens on New Year’s Day, when Bury travel to Hartlepool.

The Shakers boss hinted that at least one loan player could be in place for that trip to the North East, while more permanent signings will follow shortly after, although he discounted a move for Beeley once the defender’s injury heals.

“I think there are other alternatives,” he said.

“I want to build something that’s my own. I want to build something that’s endorsed by me.

“There’s a hell of a lot of good players out there that will want to come to Bury Football Club.”

Bury go into today’s match still second-bottom of League Two, despite their hard-earned point on Thursday, but are by no means out of reach of safety.

A win against York, who are 20th in the table and just a point above the Shakers, could see them jump as many as five places.