IT'S the big game for Bury this Saturday when they travel to Preston North End for a derby promotion battle.

Bury's games at Deepdale have always been entertaining encounters over the past few seasons - even if the results have not always gone Bury's way.

And Saturday's seems like it will follow suit.

Stan Ternent may make some changes to his side after the disappointing display against Northampton.

Phil Stant's on-off move to Torquay still seems to be lingering.

John Paskin is almost back to fitness and Stuart Bimson and Andy Woodward are waiting on the sidelines for the defence.

The atmosphere at Deepdale should be explosive, with Preston boasting one of the biggest followings in the Third Division, and now the Tom Finney stand is completed the stadium looks impressive.

Preston are currently second in the table and at one stage seemed unbeatable.

But a string of draws has held them back and kept them in the thick of the promotion fight.

They have a brilliant home record, having lost just one game at Deepdale all season, and that was on the opening day.

They also have a potent strike force of ex-Mansfield star Steve Wilkinson, and Andy Saville who has scored 18 goals so far this season.

The two sides have already met at Gigg Lane this season with an early goalless draw.

Hopefully, Bury can slip a goal or two past their near neighbours, as they did in the play-offs last season.

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