DANNY Mayor is on the verge of a return to action for Bury this weekend ahead of their crunch League One relegation battle at home to Swindon, but Zeli Ismail looks set to miss the rest of the season through injury.

The Shakers have been without their two flying wingers for the last eight weeks – Mayor with a stomach problem and Ismail a groin injury.

Mayor is back on the mend after undergoing keyhole surgery, but Ismail will have a more invasive operation tomorrow.

“Zeli will have an operation to cure his groin problem and it looks like it will rule him out for the season,” said head coach Brass of the 23-year-old summer signing from Wolves.

“It is something we knew was going on in the background, which is why we have brought people into the building to strengthen the squad.

"It’s around his abductors and core muscles. We were hoping he might get through until the end of the season but unfortunately he isn’t.

"For me it’s frustrating because he’s a fantastic talent and I’ve not been able to call upon him.

“The key to getting him right is to do this (operation) and look at the long-term strategy. It’s frustrating, but this has happened with a number of players.”

Bury have been without former captain Nathan Cameron for the majority of the campaign and lost experienced right-back Craig Jones to a long-term injury at the start of the year.

They have also been shorn of midfielders Andrew Tutte and Mayor, both of whom look set to be available for selection this weekend.

Brass would clearly welcome back both players into the fold for the relegation six-pointer against the Robins, who are one place above the relegation zone, two points ahead of Bury.

It is a clash that 26-year-old winger Mayor would love to be involved in.

"They are all big games now," said the former Preston and Sheffield Wednesday winger.

"We have played most of the big lads, like Sheffield United, already. So we have got 16 games now and we have to pick up as many points as we can.”

Mayor has endured relegation before, having played a part in the Preston side that dropped out of the Championship in 2011.

He also went on to feature in a number of difficult campaigns at Hillsborough, when the Owls skirted with relegation, but never expected to be in that position when Bury were flying high in second place at the end of September.

"We have got a lot of experienced players here and none of us want to be part of a relegation battle or thought we would be," he said.

"I was very young – 19 or 20 – at Preston when unfortunately we went down and I have been part of it at Sheffield Wednesday when they were struggling, so I know what it’s all about."

While Mayor is keen to play his part, he is mindful of the danger of doing too much, too soon after fighting his way back into contention.

“It’s getting there,” said Mayor about his injury struggle.

“I've been a long time out so it’s all about getting it right. I don’t want to come back and break down again.

“I had pain in my abdominals. I got it against Bristol Rovers (in December) and played against Oxford when it was a bit sore and it just got worse.

"I had the keyhole surgery and it seems miles better now.

"So I am hoping to get out there on Saturday, even if it’s just for the last 20 minutes.”