WELL-travelled Graeme Jones knows a thing or two about playing up front and he reckons Bury are holding onto a couple of diamonds.

The 34-year-old Shakers striker, who is in his final year in the Football League, has missed the lion's share of games so far this season because of injury.

But despite his disappointment, he has been heartened by the performance of the two young players who are giving both he and Jon Newby a run for their money for the team's two striking berths.

Only five weeks into the new campaign and 19-year-old Dave Nugent and Chris Porter - just 12 months older - have eight goals between them already.

And according to a past master of the goalscoring game there's no reason why there shouldn't be plenty more to come from the youthful combination.

"I'm delighted for Chris and Dave," he declared.

"They are both young lads trying to make their way in the game and their performances have been top drawer since the season started.

"I think they both have a naive hunger about them and that's special to have, you need to bottle that up and take it right through your career.

"They still have a lot to learn, there are some rough edges but they have the raw talent.

"I've offered them little bits of advice here and there and they both listen to me, but I'm not taking any credit for them.

"Dave is everything you'd want in a striker, while Chris is a much better footballer than people give him credit for.

"He could do with being a bit more aggressive at times but that will come.

"He's a good, stronger runner and a decent footballer too."

It was an unhappy return to action for Jones who came off the substitutes' bench in last Saturday's 1-0 home defeat by Lincoln.

And he readily admits that being out of action has been frustrating for him.

"I've been out since the second game of the season at Bristol Rovers when I felt my calf tighten after an hour," he explained.

"The gaffer didn't want to take a chance with the game at Grimsby so we left it, it turned out to be a sensible decision in the end.

"I tried to train midweek but broke down again and have had to sit on my backside for a few weeks.

"As a footballer that's the hardest thing to do, you're paid to be active and I find it difficult.

"Although I did begin to wonder how I was going to get back into the team in my final season, I'm not bitter and twisted.

"I'm just delighted to see the lads win because it reflects well on us all.

"I think we've changed a few people's opinions about us since the heavy defeat at Grimsby.

"It was certainly a disappointing result and I don't think they were a particularly good outfit, but everybody has an off day."

Jones' injury troubles increased on Wednesday afternoon when he was forced out of the reserve game against Macclesfield with a recurrence of the same trouble.