CHRIS Lucketti has told his Bury players to shape up or ship out as he prepares to fight for League One survival.

Individual errors have cost the Shakers dear in recent weeks and the boss has lost patience with his defence after Tuesday night’s 3-2 Checkatrade Trophy exit against Fleetwood.

That made it seven straight defeats for League One’s bottom club and they are 11 points from safety heading into Saturday’s home match with eighth-placed Charlton.

Lucketti is believed to have told some of his defenders they are free to find another club and, although centre-half Peter Clarke returned on loan from Oldham last week, the Bury boss admitted further reinforcements will be made in January.

Loanees Jordan Williams and Alex Whitmore last week returned to their parent clubs and Lucketti’s options have been further reduced as Craig Jones (hamstring) was injured in last Saturday’s defeat at Plymouth before Eoghan O’Connell was stretchered off in midweek.

The Bury boss also had to rest Nathan Cameron against Fleetwood after his return from injury.

“If I’m honest, the goals we conceded were incredible,” said Lucketti. “If you tried to practise the kind of goals we’re conceding I don’t think you could. It’s not good enough. It’s senior, seasoned pros making mistakes week in, week out – and not just Tuesday night.

“Everybody’s had a go, I’ve given everybody an opportunity, but then you concede goals like that.

“There’s no way you should be having to score four goals to win a game.

“Craig Jones is now injured, Eoghan O’Connell went to hospital (for an X-ray) and Cam isn’t able to play two games a week, so it is an area we need to strengthen.”

However, the shin injury that winger Zeli Ismail suffered last Saturday is not as bad as first feared.

And homegrown midfield pair Ryan Cooney and Tsun Dai could feature in the coming matches after impressing in midweek.

“Ryan’s given me a selection headache, that’s for sure,” Lucketti added. “I thought he was the best player on the pitch, he was exceptional. He was a credit to himself, the youth department and everybody at the club.

“We’ve got a very good youth department. Ryan Kidd’s doing a great job and when you see Ryan Cooney perform like that it’s testament to that. The way he performed was fantastic and was a massive positive for me.”

Bury’s FA Youth Cup fourth-round tie at home to Aston Villa will take place on Tuesday. Kick off at Gigg Lane is 7pm.