BURY manager Alan Knill says a large majority of his squad are playing for their futures – and not just promotion.

Fourteen of the current first team squad will see their deals run out at the end of the season and, apart from skipper Stephen Dawson, no others have yet been offered new terms.

And with Dawson yet to sign a new deal, it could be a busy summer of negotiations for the Shakers board.

“My team are playing for contracts,” said Knill. “But the football climate is changing.

“In the past players would sign in January but that doesn’t happen any more. Nearly every football club is struggling for money and those players that have earned really good money may find this is the last time.

“They are going to have to reconsider if they want to continue playing and my team and club is no different than any other.

“I have got a number out of contract and they are playing for their careers.

“That should keep everyone hungry and, against Burton on Monday. it looked that way.”

Knill has admitted to a lot of soul-searching in recent weeks after a disastrous run of results which only ended on Monday when Bury beat Burton Albion 3-0.

The Shakers went eight games without a win and more than 15 hours without scoring a goal from open play.

That led to Knill to being concerned about his own future, even though his team were still in the promotion hunt.

“When you are a manager or coach it does not matter if you win five at the top or five at the bottom, but if you lose four it does not matter if you are at the top or the bottom – your job is not safe,” he said.

“I have been there before and got the sack and I swore it would never happen again, and I’m trying my best for it not to.

“There were some things that I learned the last time that wouldn’t happen again.

“It is a tough job but I chose to do it and I am delighted to have a group of players that reacted and showed the qualities what we wanted.

“I have been in clubs and teams and not seen that determination to sort things out and to win games. That was a fantastic effort by the players.”

Michael Jones misses Bury’s trip to struggling Cheltenham on Saturday through suspension but will return to the squad for Tuesday’s home clash with Crewe.

Loan striker Keigan Parker should return from an ankle injury to take his place in the squad to leave midfielder Damien Allen as the only absentee.