FOUR games in eight frantic days is the daunting schedule for the Shakers over the Christmas period.

But it's a programme that, if all goes well, could see Chris Casper's men catapult themselves onto the edge of the promotion play-off places.

A Boxing Day clash against second placed Grimsby Town (3pm) is followed by a derby cracker at Rochdale on Wednesday.

It's back to Gigg Lane again on New Year's Eve Saturday before the quartet of fixtures is concluded with a trip to Peterborough United on January 2.

Two superb victories in the last two games, at high-flying Leyton Orient and against leaders Wycombe Wanderers last Saturday, have given the squad a massive confidence-boost and Casper reckons that, with players coming back to fitness, further progress up the table can be made.

"We've got to build on those wins and not let those kind of performances go to waste," he said.

"The belief should be there now, we beat a very good team in Wycombe and Grimsby are another one, it's a massive game for us.

"We have to show the same kind of effort and workrate and match them for commitment."

The Shakers' hopes of continuing the Mariner's barren run have been boosted with the news that injured striker Jake Speight and defender Colin Woodthorpe should be fit.