ANDY Bishop is preparing to make his long-awaited comeback from injury against Barnsley at Gigg Lane on Saturday.

The Shakers striker has been out since the end of last season with a knee injury, and suffered complications after returning to training in the summer.

But last season's top scorer is now in line to make his return in the club's last home game before the start of the campaign.

Chris Casper said the club may even organise a behind-closed-doors game next week in order to boost the striker's fitness ahead of the trip to MK Dons.

"We hope Andy will play some part," Casper said. "He has been working really hard and now just needs his match fitness.

"We want to go to MK Dons with as big a squad as possible, so we are doing everything we can to make sure he is ready."

Casper has been without his talismanic striker throughout pre-season, and admits he is still searching for another front-man to boost his squad.

But Saturday's starting line-up is likely to be a strong hint as to what side the Bury boss will field in Milton Keynes.

"We have got a good strong squad this season, and I'm happy with it," Casper said.

"We are still a striker short - but we have brought in some very good professionals this summer.

"We have got to get our games heads on now. On Saturday, the preparation, the tactics, the pre-match will be right."

Casper also believes Bishop's time in the gym whilst recovering from his knee injury could well see him improve even more this season.

"Bish is the first to admit that if he got that extra 10 or 15 per cent more upper body strength then he would be a real handful," he said.

"The injury could be a blessing in disguise. He has got time to work in the gym a bit more intensively and see where he can get to this year.

"Hopefully he can gain that little bit of strength and be a real force this season."