BURY Football Club's current crop of players are being physically pushed to the limit, according to Kelham O'Hanlon.

The reduction in the size of the first team pool, due to financial constraints, means that some of the them are being forced to play through the pain barrier.

And the Shakers' coach believes the young squad deserves credit for the way they are battling through a difficult situation all round.

"I don't think some people realise the problems we have had to contend with this season," he said.

"We are flogging the same lads week in, week out and they are giving us everything they have got, often playing with knocks.

"The 16 that were stripped for the Rochdale game are all we have to pick from, but unless things change drastically we'll just have to get on with it.

"It means us putting square pegs in round holes at times, but the players are doing everything and are a credit to themselves and the football club."

Teenagers in their first full season like Tom Kennedy and Simon Whaley would, ideally, earn a rest for a few games to recharge their batteries.

But with a squad down to the bare bones they are being forced to turn out every week.

"It makes me laugh when I hear about Premiership players being overplayed," he added.

"They've just had two weeks off because of the international fixtures and still managers are complaining about the number of games they are playing.

"We are asking young lads to play 40 and 50-odd games a season without a break, when they need it.

"The likes of Tom, Simon and Chris Porter do need a break, we are asking them to mature very quickly as players and they are responding very well.

"Chris has been carrying a knee injury for months now and is regularly getting off the treatment table to play because we don't have another centre forward of his ilk.

"He's giving everything he has got, and it is a credit to him."

"We missed him desperately when he was out for six weeks but it is a big ask for a young lad finding his way in the game.

"Boys are being asked to do mens jobs and they are doing tremendously well for us."

Both Kennedy and fellow defender John Fitzgerald, who limped off before the end of Saturday's 0-0 home draw against local rivals Rochdale, should be in contention for the trip to Kidderminster Harriers.

Kennedy has a slight hamstring strain while Fitzgerald, on-loan from Blackburn Rovers, suffered from cramp in both calves.

The robust centre-back spent a few days back at Rovers receiving treatment for a hip injury picked up on international duty for the Republic of Ireland Under-21s last weekend.

Meanwhile, Canadian midfielder Terry Dunfield is this week down at the FA's Lilleshall Rehabilitation Centre in a bid to resolve his knee ligament problem.

He took a slight knock to the offending joint in training last week and has suffered a reaction.

The former Manchester City man was due to play some part in last week's reserve game at Shrewsbury Town but the game was postponed.