SATURDAY’S trip to Scunthorpe United will provide the litmus test of Bury’s promotion credentials, according to on-loan striker Danny Rose.

Scunthorpe – second in the League Two table – are on a 25-game unbeaten run, but Rose believes ending that would act as a calling card to their rivals for the final play-off place.

Bury go into the game on the back of three successive victories, which have catapulted them from 20th to 11th in the table – just seven points off the play-offs.

“We’ve just won three games on the trot so I am thinking we can go up there and upset them a little bit,” said the 20-year-old Barnsley forward.

“Yes, we probably do have to win our remaining games to get in the play-offs, but we will take it one game at a time.

“The next one is Scunthorpe and that is a big game, but if we are good enough to take points from them then we are good enough to get in the play-offs, I think.”

Rose has tasted victory in his first three games since moving to the JD Stadium, scoring on his debut as a substitute at Northampton.

He has since featured from the bench in the last two matches at home.

“I’ve just got to wait and be patient, but I am happy coming on and doing what I am doing,” he said.

“I have only been used to playing the final 10 minutes of games for Barnsley, so getting 30 minutes under my belt here at Bury has been a step up.

“I am here until the end of the season and I am happy to help the team as much as I can and see what happens.”

Flitcroft has never missed an opportunity to praise the youngster since his arrival at the JD Stadium and is obviously a clear admirer of his workrate and attitude, as well as his potential as a finisher.

The Bury boss actually handed Rose his big break at Barnsley last season, promoting him to the first team at Oakwell during his time as Tykes boss.

He seems interested in tempting the Barnsley-born forward to extend his stay at the JD, possibly for a season-long loan next campaign.

But Rose is keeping his options open at this stage.

“We will have to see what happens next season, obviously see where Barnsley are because that’s my town and that’s my club,” he said.

“I hope they stay in the Championship and I think they are good enough to stay in the Championship, but we will have to take it from there.

“I’ve come here on loan because I wasn’t getting the game time I wanted at Barnsley and I hope it helps my development and my future career.

“It’s always an option to come here again on loan, we will just have to see what happens, but I have just signed a new contract with Barnsley, so there is not really much to say.”