It's been a slow start to the season for Bury, with Chris Casper's side currently lying in 19th place in the League Two table. Despite their lowly position the Shakers are still only a handful of victories away from a top six position and if Casper can get all his key players back to fitness a promotion push could still be on the cards this term. Lee Unsworth is certainly one of the players Bury have missed this season and the 32-year-old former Crewe defender is hoping to make a swift return after almost seven out with a groin problem. Givemefootball's Mark Shail is the man with the questions.
Q:WHAT IS THE UPDATE ON YOUR INJURY?
A:I've had a problem with my groin and the specialists don't exactly know if it's the groin itself or whether it is related to my hips or my abductor muscles. I had an operation in September but things have taken longer to settle down than I had hoped. But more recently things have got better. I underwent a scan earlier this week and if that's all clear I hope to resume training almost straight away.
Q:IF YOU ARE GIVEN THE ALL-CLEAR WITH THE SCAN, HOW SOON DO YOU HOPE TO BE BACK CHALLENGING FOR A FIRST TEAM PLACE?
A:Very quickly I hope. I've been working every day in the gym, so my general fitness is fairly good, I just need some games under my belt. If this scan is okay I will be looking to play 50 or 60 minutes of a reserve game as soon as I can – as long as the manager agrees.
Q:IT MUST HAVE BEEN VERY FRUSTRATING FOR YOU OVER THE LAST SIX MONTHS?
A:It has been difficult because at no stage have I been told exactly what the problem is – that's been the most annoying thing. For example, when you pull your hamstring you know you're going to be out for three or four weeks and you can come to terms with being sidelined for that period of time. But this injury has been a bit of a mystery and it just seems to have kept dragging on, which makes it even more frustrating.
Q:WHAT'S YOUR VERDICT ON THE TEAM’S DISPLAYS SO FAR THIS SEASON?
A:To be honest I think we've been playing quite well. I know I've only been watching from the stands but the lads seem to be doing okay and we haven't had the rub of the green in one or two matches this season.
Q:WHICH SIDES HAVE YOU BEEN IMPRESSED WITH IN LEAGUE TWO SO FAR THIS SEASON?
A:I thought Leyton Orient were one of the better sides to have visited our place so far this season. Although it was on one of the earlier matches, they looked a very well organised side that knocked the ball about well and I'm not surprised at all to see them up there towards the top of the table.
Q:DESPITE BURY'S LEAGUE POSITION THE TABLE IS STILL PRETY TIGHT, ISN’T IT?
A:Yes, unfortunately our game was postponed last weekend but if we'd had managed to win we could have jumped to within six or seven points off the play-offs - but instead we now find ourselves just one point clear of the relegation zone. It's important we start finding some consistency because if we can string two or three wins together we could climb nine or ten places in the league.
Q:AND IT'S BARNET AWAY THIS WEEKEND, WILL YOU BE TRAVELLING TO THAT ONE?
A:The manager usually gives the injured players the option whether they want to travel to the away games or not. I usually go to the games but sometimes you feel like you're just getting in the way and, with this being a long journey, the management may decide just to take those players who are fit and in the first team squad.
