Contracts are up for grabs at Bury Town and the current Blues squad should take their foot off the pedal at their peril, according to manager Ben Chenery.

The Ram Meadow side are stuck in mid-table in Ryman North, unable to be promoted but safe from relegation.

With seven games remaining in the league, observers may think that the Blues’ squad have little to play for, but that could not be further from the truth claims Chenery, whose side go to Heybridge Swifts today before hosting title-chasing AFC Sudbury on Bank Holiday Monday.

“I am the type of person that won’t allow my players to take their foot off the gas,” insisted Chenery.

“While we can’t go up and can’t go down, I’m still demanding and contracts are up for grabs.

“We have steadied the ship this season and I want the team to be better next season, and that means getting the right players on board.

“Myself and Christian (Appleford, assistant manager) will understand a lot over the next few weeks and what we will be asking of the players is, do they have the desire, passion, tempo, creativity and tenacity?

“They know the importance of their performances between now and the end of the season and making sure they are in my squad for next year.”

Two players who have done their chances no harm of being involved are young defenders Jed Wigley and Joe White, both of whom impressed in the 3-2 Suffolk Premier Cup semi-final defeat to Lowestoft Town in midweek.

“Jed is someone that I have had in the academy for two years and he has always been knocking on the door of the first team,” explained the Bury boss.

“He got his chance on Tuesday (against Lowestoft) and showed maturity beyond his years, while I thought Joe White was very good too.”

Josh Mayhew and Ollie Canfer scored Bury’s goals on Tuesday evening, the strike duo having now scored 20 goals between them this season.

“I demanded more from my forwards (against Lowestoft).

“I thought we allowed Lowestoft’s defenders too much time on the ball in the first half, but in the second half, I brought Ollie Hughes on who helped change the game, and I thought they were excellent.”