INJURED Bury skipper Dave Challinor could be back in action as early as two weeks time.

That's the good news to come out of Gigg Lane, after a scan on the knee injury he picked up in last Saturday's FA Cup first round win against Vauxhall Motors showed only limited damage.

After scoring the fourth goal in a 5-2 victory over his hometown club, Challinor was stretchered off in agony just after half-time, and the signs didn't look good.

Thankfully though, given the lack of playing resources at Gigg Lane, the news from the medical men is promising.

Medial ligament damage is graded from one to three and Challinor's turned out to be grade one, the least serious.

That was music to the ears of Shakers' boss Graham Barrow, who admitted he was worried the team might be without the influential defender for months.

"Everyone feared the worst for Dave last weekend, myself included," he said.

"Thankfully the injury has settled down and we've had good news from the doctor who was very optimistic about his recovery.

"We are looking at him being back for the FA Cup game at Northampton in two weeks time, which is something we would never have expected last weekend."

There's also good news about another injury victim, goalkeeper Glyn Garner.

The Shakers' shotstopper had an operation on his knee this week and all has gone well, although he is still expected to be out of action until the New Year.

"They took a piece of cartilege out of Glyn's knee but everything went smoothly," explained Barrow.

"Now it's just a case of keeping fingers crossed that both he and Chally have straightforward recoveries."

Paul Scott is expected to be the straight replacement for Challinor for tomorrow's visit of Notts County (3pm).

The Magpies haven't had such a good time of it in League Two since being relegated last season and currently sit in 20th position.

They parted company with manager Gary Mills a few weeks ago and midfielder Ian Richardson has taken over the reins since.

Indeed, they are unbeaten in the two games that Richardson has been in charge, with a 3-0 league victory over Shrewsbury Town followed by a 2-0 success over non-league Woking in the FA Cup last weekend.

Barrow spent nine months as assistant manager to Gary Brazil at Meadow Lane five years ago and knows Richardson and his number two, John Gaunt, from his days with the club.

"Ian was captain when I was there and he's sure to put a bit of steel into the team," he said.

"He's the kind of roll your sleeves up' character that should get them out of trouble.

"They have raised their performances already in the last two games but we'll be ready for them.

"We said a few weeks ago that if we got through the first round of the cup, then beat Notts County, we'd have got our season back on track.

"We've done one half of the job and now it's up to us to complete the other."

The recovering Graeme Jones missed out on another reserve game this week when the Manchester Senior Cup tie against Oldham Athletic, scheduled for Wednesday, was postponed.

However, he could find himself on the bench tomorrow.

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"We've been doing some running with Graeme again this week and we have to consider him for a place on the bench," added Barrow.

"We saw against Yeovil that he can knock people about and get you a goal."

l THE Shakers youth team bowed out of the FA Youth Cup on Wednesday evening after going down 3-2 at Grimsby Town.

Bury took the lead through Ryan Maloney after only nine minutes but 14 minutes later the Mariners drew level through Danny North after a mistake in the Shakers' defence.

The home side went in front just before the half hour when Andy Bore converted a cross from North.

Nicky Adams levelled with a neat lob just after half-time but the home side's man-of-the-match North scored what proved to be the winner after 62 minutes with a fine individual effort.

Despite some intense pressure the young Shakers couldn't find another equaliser.