BURY ever-present Lennie Johnrose is battling to be fit in time for tomorrow's trip to West Brom.

The midfield maestro is struggling with a hamstring strain suffered in Tuesday's goalless draw with Stoke City.

He has missed just one game for the Shakers this season and his absence would be a major blow to manager Stan Ternent, who will make a final decision on whether to risk him later today (Friday).

"Any injury is a concern, but Lennie has been a regular for us in the team all season. He is keen to play but we will have to wait and see," said the Bury boss.

Johnrose wasn't the only player on the medical table this week. Striker Tony Ellis has a similar injury, but is winning his fitness fight after missing Tuesday's match.

The rest of the side came out of the Stoke clash unscathed.

It will be Bury's first visit to The Hawthorns since November 1991 when an Ian Stevens goal secured a 1-1 draw.

The Baggies, however, enjoyed a 3-1 victory at Gigg Lane when the two sides last met in September.

The good news for the Shakers is that Canadian Paul Peschisolido, the man who blasted a hat-trick past them that day, has since joined Fulham.

"That game was much tighter than the scoreline suggests," said Ternent.

"West Brom are a big club and this is another big test for us, but the mood in the camp has been good all week.

"The lads know they didn't play well against Stoke. We had too many players that were below par by their own standards, yet we still got a point and we gratefully accepted it.

"We have gone four games unbeaten now and we must build on that."

The Shakers have just 14 matches in which to secure their Division One future - Ternent wants to win at least half of them.

"It is a big challenge we have set, but the players are up for it," he added. "I don't think it is an impossible task."

Bury's point on Tuesday lifted them to third from bottom of the table. The side they leapfrogged, Manchester City, failed to swap places when they lost 2-1 at home to Ipswich the following night.

"That score doesn't interest me. All I know is we have 31 points and that isn't enough to stay in the division," said Ternent.

Coincidentally, West Brom can do Bury a favour when they take on both City and basement side Portsmouth next week.

They have won four, lost four and drawn two of their last 10 matches. Kick-off tomorrow is 3pm.

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