Lowestoft Town boss Ady Gallagher will give his squad players some much-needed game time this evening in the Blues' Suffolk Premier Cup semi-final against Bury Town at Needham Market's ground, Bloomfields.

Lowestoft eased their relegation fears with a 1-0 win over Gainsborough Trinity at the weekend to lift the Trawlerboys out of the bottom three.

But Lowestoft must turn their attention to the cup this evening and, whilst National League North survival remains their priority, Gallagher insists this evening's tie could be a 'nice distraction'.

'It is another game in another tournament but any competition you are in, you want to win,' insisted Gallagher. 'It is an opportunity for me to get a few players off the bench who have not had a lot of football and also to rest people who have played quite a bit.

'I may throw a couple of youngsters in as well and use the game to sharpen a few people up.

'We are the holders of the cup and sometimes it is a nice distraction and sometimes it is a negative one.

'We haven't got a big squad and I don't want to get any injuries in the game.'

Striker Jake Reed will definitely miss the game after suffering damage to his ankle ligaments in the victory over Trinity.

The Blues' top goalscorer missed a penalty before his departure and it is still uncertain how much part he will be able to play in the end of season run-in.

One man that will be heavily relied upon is Rossi Jarvis, who got the only goal of the game at the weekend. The Lowestoft skipper has been a key part of the team's spine this season and Gallagher hopes the former Norwich City man can help his side over the line.

'Rossi has been a warrior all season, he is a proper leader and that is what captains do, they stick their chest out in times of adversity and they make a difference,' Gallagher said. 'I think he has been fantastic all season, but we need him to be right at his best every game, from now until the end of the season, to help us over the line.'

After tonight's clash Lowestoft head into a tough run of fixtures where they face Nuneaton Town and high-flyers North Ferriby United.

'We have got a tough run-in, but it is in our hands,' he said. 'It is much better to be in a position where you can back yourself to win games and to get the points that you need.

'Whenever you win games and you climb the table it is a great boost and a great feeling for everyone at the club and something we want to experience a few more times before the end of the season.'