FORGOTTEN man Dean West is set for a shock Bury return after a season-saving operation.

The highly-rated defender has missed the entire First Division campaign with a nagging groin injury.

With 14 matches remaining in the Shakers' survival campaign the 25-year-old was fearing time was running out. But manager Stan Ternent believes a keyhole operation 48 hours ago will clear the way for West's return.

"It will do the trick, I'm quite sure about that," assured Ternent.

"His injury has been frustrating for everybody. He's been close more than once to getting over it but then it's flared up again and the lad was naturally getting disheartened."

Bury's only specialist right back played a key role in the two successive promotion campaigns from the Third to the First Division and would have been a mainstay of this season's team.

But he has been unable to take his recovery further than straight running, twice breaking down when he was close to joining in full training. "We sent him to Shrewsbury on Wednesday for this operation which will sort him out and I'm sure we'll soon have him back in the team," added Ternent.

"He's a naturally fit lad so it won't take him long to get himself ready to play. He's a good player and we have missed him although I must say Andy Woodward has been doing great for us in the position."

Bury expect to have Tony Ellis back up front for tomorrow's trip to West Bromwich Albion when the Shakers will be looking to extend their four-match unbeaten run but midfielder Lenny Johnrose is a major doubt with a hamstring injury.

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