NICKY Adams is not afraid to admit he has Wembley on his mind as the Shakers head into a week of cup action at the JD Stadium.

Bury host Conference South side Hemel Hempstead Town in the FA Cup on Saturday before entertaining League Two strugglers Tranmere in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday.

The Shakers are favourites to progress in both competitions, having won their last eight matches at home.

Adams admits, however, that the JPT area quarter-final tie stands out for him as it represents a more realistic chance to realise one of his footballing dreams. “I have never played at Wembley before so it would be good to tick that box,” he said.

“Everyone at the club wants to go to Wembley, it is a big thing for us, so we will be giving it our best shot.

“Say what you like about the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy but the chance to play at Wembley is a big draw and a prize that we won’t be taking lightly.”

Before that, Bury take on a Hemel Hempstead side that have made the first round of the FA Cup for the first time in 74 years.

“The FA Cup is special, and everyone loves to see an upset, so we will have to be on our guard,” he said.

“We will be the bigger club so we will have to be on our guard, hopefully put in a professional performance and maybe get the chance to pull off a shock of our own later on in the competition.”

Adams will go into Saturday’s match on a high after scoring his first goal since re-signing for the club against Cambridge United last weekend.

Not that he needed a boost after settling in quickly on his return, nine years after he first put on a Bury shirt.

The fact he walked into a dressing room brimming with confidence and expectation obviously helped.

“I can safely say this is the best set of lads I have ever worked with and the best spirit in a dressing room I have ever been involved in,” he added.

“I have had a big smile on my face ever since I walked through the doors.

“People said when I came back that I didn’t need to drop down to this level, but the most important thing for me is that I am enjoying life and enjoying my football. And that’s what I have here now.”

It hasn’t all been plain sailing for Adams, though. He was substituted at half time in a match at Wycombe and dropped down to the bench for the recent trip to Southend.

But he added: “One of the best things about the manager (David Flitcroft) is that he talks to you personally to explain his decisions.

“He took me to one side and told me he was leaving me out at Southend for tactical reasons – it’s never personal, always tactical.

“There are no favourites in the dressing room – everyone is treated the same. You could see that when Jim (McNulty, Bury captain) was substituted at half time in the last match. It was a tactical switch for the good of the team and you have got to respect that.”