CHRIS Brass is gearing up for a crucial month as Bury’s battle to beat the drop heats up.

The Shakers entertain relegation rivals Swindon on Saturday in the first of a run of games against sides in the lower reaches of League One.

Six of Bury’s next seven matches are against teams currently in the bottom 10, and Brass believes if his side cannot turn their results around then their fate could be decided by the end of March.

“We have got to make sure we keep within striking distance of everyone, not just one or two of them,” Brass said, with Bury 22nd in the table, two points behind fifth-bottom Swindon.

“Hopefully by the end of the month we might have turned it around, but we should know exactly where we are by mid-March.”

The games come thick and fast in February, with MK Dons, who are 14th, due to visit Gigg Lane on Tuesday night.

“Home games will be crucial,” added Brass. “The fact we have nine home games to come and seven away could be key to our survival.

“Everybody understands the position we are in, but I have been in a hell of a lot worse situations at Bury Football Club, even as a player.

“We need the supporters to stick with us. There have been a couple of seasons of good times and this is the one where we have to make sure we bed in together and get through it.

“Ultimately it might not sound fantastic that you manage to stay up, but right now, in the situation we find ourselves in, it will be a huge achievement from everybody to make sure we keep our League One status.”

Midfielders Andrew Tutte and Danny Mayor are available for selection again after a two-month lay off, but defender Kean Bryan, on loan from Manchester City, is still struggling to overcome a thigh injury and winger Zeli Ismail has been ruled out for the rest of the season.

Long-term absentees Nathan Cameron and Craig Jones will also miss out.