SHAKERS confidently expect their biggest crowd of the season for Saturday's highly-charged derby clash against Rochdale at Gigg Lane (3pm).

And as far as the Gigg Lane hierarchy are concerned the match could not be more timely.

With finances still tight after last season's highly-publicised fiscal troubles, the Bury board are looking for the kind of increased gates that their improved league position warrant - starting with this game.

Boss Andy Preece has been told to farm out some of his squad on loan in a bid to cut costs, and without a significant improvement in attendances over the next few weeks the worry is that the successful first team squad he has assembled may have to be broken up.

"We really could do with some big crowds for the Rochdale, Kidderminster and Hull City matches," he explained.

"The financial position at the club is still very difficult and the more we get through the gate the better chance we have of holding onto our players.

"I've been wanting Rochdale's results to pick up in recent weeks because the better they are doing the more fans they will bring down!"

The Shakers boss seems to have got his wish.