A wave of sickness is threatening Bury's preparations for the visit of Port Vale with as many as three first-team players being hit by a virus.Ben Futcher returned to the first-team fold against Macclesfield following a bout of flu last weekend and is still not considered to be 100% fit and it seems the illness is spreading.

Fellow defenders Paul Scott and Ryan Cresswell are also serious doubts after being struck by the bug this week.

Manager Alan Knill said: "Scotty and Ryan have missed training, feeling under the weather, so we don't know how quickly it will clear up.

"At this time of year every manager will be the same. You just have to sit tight and hope illnesses and injuries don't hit you too hard."

Otherwise, Knill has no other injury or suspension concerns ahead of the clash at Gigg Lane as his side look to make it four games without defeat.

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