ANDY PREECE endeared himself to the Blackpool fans in his last season with the Seasiders, picking up no less than four Player of the Season awards.

But the 32-year-old striker won't be looking to leave them with any more happy memories after Bury's visit to Bloomfield Road tomorrow.

Preece still lives in the town and although he's anticipating a warm welcome, he says: "It's getting three points away from home for Bury that's important now.

"We had got ourselves into a decent position before last Saturday. That defeat against Notts County knocked us back a bit, but we are still in contention, thanks to the way the other results went.

"But we have got to start winning away from home if we want to go straight back up or get into the play-offs. We can't keep relying on our home form," added Preece, with next Wednesday's trip to Reading also in mind.

Preece made 153 appearances for Blackpool in his three years at the club, scoring 40 goals. In that last season, 1997-98, he played in 52 games, scoring 14 goals, 11 in the League.

During his time there he formed a striking partnership with another former Shaker, Tony Ellis.

Yet another connection between the two clubs saw Ellis arrive at Gigg Lane in a swap deal that saw Ian Hughes go the other way in December 1997. Centre back Hughes is now club captain and a regular in the Blackpool side.

There will also be a tinge of envy amongst the Blackpool fans because of the work permit granted to Bury's Indian striker Baichung Bhutia on appeal.

On the same day their appeal on behalf of Estonian striker Indrek Zelinski was thrown out, even though he had made a substitute's appearance against Scotland only a few days previously for Estonia, who are ranked 88th in the FIFA world rankings, as opposed to India, who come in at a lowly 114th.

Blackpool, managed by former Leeds United midfielder Nigel Worthington, are currently languishing in next to bottom spot in Division Two and have not won at home since their opening day 2-1 victory over Wrexham, who went on to beat Bury 1-0 at the Racecourse the following Saturday.

They picked up their first away point in a 0-0 draw at Chesterfield last Saturday, helped by the return from injury of influential attacking midfielder Phil Clarkson.

One change tomorrow could see former Burnley and Bristol City wing man, Junior Bent, coming in for Steve Garvey.

Bury are unlikely to show too many changes from last Saturday's line-up, with defender Andy Woodward, striker Ian Lawson, who had two spells on loan at Blackpool last season, and midfield man Darren Bullock all expected to shake off injuries.

Bhutia is likely to have to settle for a seat on the bench again after another taxing week of training that has also seen him play two games for the reserves at Oldham and Chesterfield respectively.

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