THE pressure is on – but Phil Parkinson is convinced his Wanderers have the mettle to pass their derby test and take a giant step towards promotion.

Fleetwood moved to within a point of the Whites with victory over Millwall yesterday, while Bradford fluffed their lines at champions Sheffield United.

The spotlight shines on Bolton once again this evening at the Macron, where victory over Bury would leave Parkinson’s side needing just three points from their remaining two games to ensure Championship football next season.

Wanderers have a chance to claim their first league double over the Shakers for 91 years after ending an 87-year jinx with victory at Gigg Lane in October. And with Lee Clark’s side also up to their neck in relegation trouble, Parkinson, a former Bury midfielder, is under no illusion how tough the task will be.

“I’d never-ever say this is a must-win game because that just creates tension,” Parkinson told The Bolton News. “Besides, I know what this means on the other side of the fence.

“Bolton maybe don’t see Bury as their rivals, but I know first-hand that it is not the other way around. It’s a strange situation.

“This is the town of Bury’s game. This is the one they want to win.

“Maybe in the past they have been more up for it than Bolton.

“They will always play the under-dog card. And when we went there earlier in the season we didn’t let that affect us.

“It would be great to get the first double over them for 91 years. That is a great incentive and I think the lads are in a good place. I think they know what is at stake and they are ready to perform.”

Wanderers will welcome Andy Taylor back from injury but Gary Madine remains a significant doubt as he feels his way back from shoulder ligament damage.

“Taylor is fit, he’s okay to play,” Parkinson confirmed. “Gaz saw a specialist and had a slight setback in training last week, caught the ligaments a little bit. We’ll assess it as we go on.”