EFE Sodje says it is imperative that the Shakers stay injury-free if they want to maintain their promotion push.

Bury are just one point from a play-off place in League Two, but Sodje knows that the squad will be pushed to the limit if injuries or suspensions hit.

The Gigg Lane outfit have one of the strongest starting line-ups in the division, but they don’t have a huge amount of back-up and former Nigerian international Sodje is wary of that.

“We only have a small squad and we are lucky that everyone has stayed injury free so far,” said the 35-year-old. “Hopefully that continues.

“The manager has done really well with the resources he has got, and now it is up to us players to maintain our healthy eating and training to make sure we stay fit.”

Sodje, who is getting valuable coaching experience with the reserves this season, was particularly delighted with Saturday’s 4-0 victory because it was against his former Gillingham team-mates, and the centre-back said: “The manager made some changes, and we knew we needed a good performance.

“It was great to score four goals, and the bonus was keeping a clean sheet. We have worked hard on defending in training and it paid off.

“We also know that, when the time comes, Wayne Brown will make some important saves for us in goal.

“The win was overdue, and now we have to keep it going. We have not dropped below ninth in the table this season and that is important.”