Bury will head into today’s game without two of last season’s overseas stars, Kenny Eggars and Brenton Krammer, who have both returned to New Zealand, while several front-row players will be unavailable, having sustained different injuries during the week.

“Some players have left the club but I believe we have managed to improve the quality of the squad with the players that have joined us,” said club chairman Mike Robinson.

“Everything is in place but unfortunately we have lost half of our forward pack.

“A couple of lads have had to go to hospital this week for different reasons and others have been injured in the warm-up games.

“It is frustrating to have lost several players from the front-row but I am confident Terry (Sands) and Gavin (Hogg) can put a good side out.”

Ahead of the game, Robinson confirmed the club’s ethos would not change.

The club have worked their way through the London leagues over a prolonged period of time and have continuously made sure there ‘house has been in order’.

“Going back a few years we were in London 4,” he said.

“We have made gradual progress over a number of years and that has been done deliberately.

“There’s no point going up too quickly if you have not got the foundations and the infrastructure in place to sustain it.

“Each year we have tried to improve all aspects of the club and make ourselves better in other areas.

“The strength of the squad has gradually improved, as has the coaching and the way the team approach games.”

The team enjoyed a faultless campaign last season, winning every game and regularly passed the 50-point scoring.

This season Gavin Hogg’s team will be expected to hold their own but Robinson is under no illusions that the team will not be given so many opportunities.

“We are under no illusions. We are going into a tough league and we’ll do well to finish mid-table.

“It is all about understanding the level you are playing at and consolidating.”