CHRIS Lucketti has vowed to play on for the Shakers and help steer the club to First Division safety

The inspirational skipper, who has been pursued by Birmingham City and Huddersfield Town in recent weeks, has shrugged off transfer talk to concentrate on the job in hand.

He told the Bury Times: "It is very flattering to be linked with big clubs, as I seem to have been for a number of years now, but I just get on with it.

"Until the club comes to me and says it has accepted a bid, I will just keep playing for Bury Football Club."

The fit-again 27-year-old was visibly shattered after Saturday's 2-0 home defeat to Norwich City, in which new signing Darren Bullock was dismissed.

Lucketti admits it should have been Bury's day.

"I was gutted with the result because I thought this was the day we were going to pick up three points," he said. "We had the new lads in the team, there was a buzz around the place and everybody was looking forward to the match.

"But the sending off changed the game - we will never know that for sure, but all the players believe that was the case. With 11 men I think we could have won the match."

Of the Bullock dismissal he added: "I was behind the incident, but it looked like Darren had got to the ball first and the Norwich lad had actually caught him. It looked like an accident but the referee was right near it and had no hesitation in getting the card out.

"You wouldn't have known we had 10 men out there for long periods after the sending off. Everybody raised their game and gave everything they had. I don't think any player could have given any more."

And no-one could accuse Lucketti of a lack of effort. After declaring himself fit to play, despite a niggling thigh strain, he captain produced another captain's performance.

"The injury has gone now and I feel good," he said. "I was delighted to be back because I hate missing games. To miss two was a big disappointment."

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