FIVE Bury players began their comebacks from injury in a friendly at Oldham Athletic yesterday - including player of the year Chris Billy who scored after coming off the bench.

The midfielder suffered no reaction to the leg injury which has sidelined him since the start of October.

Also back in action was the boss Andy Preece, defenders Sam Collins and Nicky Hill and midfielder Paul O'Shaughnessy.

Bury lost the match 3-2 with George Clegg scoring the first goal before Billy rammed home a late second.

Despite the result, though there will be nothing but positives about the game.

The fact that so many of the Shakers crocks returned to action is a huge boost for the club because at one point last month there were more players injured than fit.

Ironically, the crippling injury list co-incided with the Shakers brilliant November revival, when they won three games and drew one to pull themselves off the bottom and out of the relegation zone.

"I think a lot should be made of how well we've done recently given the amount of injuries we've had," manager Preece said.

"It has been very difficult for us but the lads have showed tremendous character and we now have a chance to go on and push further up the league. We don't want to throw all this hard work away."

After the Oldham excursion, another practice match has been arranged for tomorrow at Barnsley.

Billy, Preece and the other players on the comeback trail are all likely to figure again as well as some first team players.

The matches have been arranged because Bury are not in action this weekend due to elimination from the FA Cup. Their next game is at Notts County on December 15. Had they beat Lincoln in the FA Cup first round replay at Gigg Lane last Tuesday, they would have travelled to Leyton Orient on Saturday for the second round clash.

Defeat on penalties though has left Preece's team without a game until December 15, when they travel to Notts County.

At least the enforced break gives the injured players the chance to recover for the busy Christmas period.