Gareth Ainsworth believes tomorrow's opponents Bury are better than their current position in the table would suggest.

The Shakers were the pre-season League Two title favourites but are outside the play off places after losing five of their last eight matches.

That included a run of four straight defeats before back-to-back wins, and Ainsworth believes the Lancashire side are in a false position due to the resources manager David Flitcroft has at his disposal.

Flitcroft, a former team mate of Ainsworth's at Preston, this week strengthened his squad with the signing of Bolton full back Joe Riley as the Shakers boss tries to get his side to live up to their pre-season billing of promotion hopefuls.

Ainsworth said: "They are a strong side - don't be misled by their position at the moment. They have got plenty of money, they have signed again in the January window. We'll have to be ready for what they throw at us.

"Anyone knows in this league you can have a little bad run and drop down a few places, but you're only two or three wins away from getting back in the top three and that's what Bury are.

"It's no surprise to me they are in the top half of the table, which at this stage of the season is a good position for anyone. I'm not saying they are in a bad position. I think they are a strong side and nicely poised to make a challenge for the top spots in the second half of the season."

Striker Paul Hayes is a doubt for Wanderers, but Ainsworth said Hogan Ephraim and Max Kretzschmar are likely to declare themselves fit and available to play after taking part in full training this week.