RELEGATION was mentioned in the Bury changing room on Saturday but winger Jack Mackreth says the team are ready to “roll up their sleeves and fight” in a bid to escape the drop.

Mackreth penned an 18-month contract at Gigg Lane in January following his move from Macclesfield Town for an undisclosed fee – which is believed to be in the region of £30,000.

The 24-year-old has made just three appearances since linking up with the Shakers, with two coming from the substitutes’ bench.

However, the former Tranmere and Grimsby man claims the squad is confident that, if they remain positive, they will be able to drag themselves out of League One’s bottom four.

“It was mentioned in the changing room and I really did feel it (at Shrewsbury),” Mackreth said after the defeat to the fellow League One strugglers.

“I think the realisation has come where we’re up against it at the minute.

“We need to start picking up points fast.

“We have got a good group of lads and there is a good vibe around the changing room so I’m sure we’ll be able to keep that positive.

“We have got to roll up our sleeves.

“Brassy (head coach, Chris Brass) has said we have got to roll up our sleeves and fight and grab each point as much as we can from now on in.”

Mackreth came off the bench against the Shrews on Saturday and it was his cross that Jacob Mellis eventually converted from the rebound after George Miller’s initial effort was blocked.

Hallam Hope, Jermaine Pennant, Danny Mayor, Zeli Ismail and Scott Burgess can all play out wide and provide Mackreth with stern competition for a starting spot.

But the pacy winger says he is relishing the challenge of fighting for a place.

“Obviously I have come in and we have got a big squad (of 33 players),” he said.

“There is a lot of quality here and I have got to keep learning every day from the coaches and the players and when I come on try to make an impact.

“I’m going to say that was my assist (at Shrewsbury) so hopefully Brassy will have noticed that.

“I have got to keep working hard and catch the manager’s eye.

“That’s all I can do.”