BURY manager Lee Clark has no fears the Shakers will climb the League One table, and believes it will happen sooner rather than later.

Clark’s men sat out last weekend’s round of matches off after their scheduled game at Oldham was postponed due to international commitments.

They return to action just one place above the relegation zone heading into Saturday’s match at home to third-placed Bradford.

Despite losing to MK Dons in their last league game, the Shakers beat Blackburn three days later in the Checkatrade Trophy.

And that did wonders for their belief, says Clark, who feels his players will return from their break fully restored and ready for a run of five games in 15 days.

He said: “We’re just looking at the first one, and whether we carry on from where we left off. We want to push on – and I think we will.

“With the exception of MK Dons, the last four or five performances have warranted good results. We can gain confidence from that and I just think, once the total belief of the group comes back, you’ll see us climb the table because we’ll start getting consistent results.

“I don’t think we’re far off. Our last performance was excellent so if we can continue with that type of performance we’ll get the results that are required.”

Eoghan O’Connell, Andrew Tutte and Jay O’Shea all featured for the Under-23s on Monday in the Premier League Cup and will be in contention for Saturday’s game.

Clark added: “It was important for them to get some minutes and proving their fitness. It’s a huge boost because they’re all big players for us. We’ve missed them, so they can only enhance the group and make us stronger.”

After beating Bury, MK Dons lost 4-1 at home to Bradford last Saturday, with Charlie Wyke scoring twice to make it six wins from eight for the Bantams.

“It was hard to judge because MK Dons went down to 10 men after five minutes but we know Bradford are a quality side,” Clark added.

“They’ll be going for promotion once again. They just missed out last year so we know it’s an extremely tough game but we’re looking forward to it. We like the challenge of playing these top sides so let’s give it a right good go!”