GOALKEEPER Chris Neal has expressed his desire to stay at Gigg Lane beyond his current loan deal.

The Port Vale stopper has made seven appearances since linking up with Bury a month ago, and he has now admitted that his future could lie with the Shakers.

The 30-year-old's contract is set to expire at the end of the season and he could be snapped up by David Flitcroft on a free transfer.

And if that opportunity came around, Neal insists there would be no doubt about putting pen to paper for the long-term at Gigg Lane.

“Yes I would (like to stay at Bury next year),” Neal said. “I have already made my feelings clear that I would.

“It's kind of been discussed at Port Vale as well. They signed Jak Alnwick when I was injured and he has been fantastic this year.

“I don't like to blow my own trumpet but I think I've done ok since I've been in.

“I don't know yet, obviously I've spoken to the manager here about a couple of things but I don't know.

“I'm out of contract and it is important for me to play games. We have got three more left and then we will have to see what happens after that.

“If the opportunity came, I think I would (stay at Bury), definitely.”

Neal, Bury's eighth goalkeeper of the season, has been a calming influence at the back since linking up with the Shakers.

But with fellow goalkeepers Ian Lawlor and Rob Lainton also out of contract in the summer, it leaves Flitcroft to ponder which ones to tie down for the next campaign, if any.

Current number one Neal also revealed how former Vale team-mate Tom Pope put in a good word to bring the stopper to Bury.

“I've been keeping in contact with Popey and he's only had good things to say about the club,” Neal revealed. “It was a no-brainer for me to come and play until the end of the season.

“It has got everything. Great management and staff, the lads are brilliant, the set-up is first class, the ground's brilliant, you can't knock the club at all.

“You can see why they got promoted last year and have done well this year.

“I couldn't believe it. When I looked through the games and the fixtures and how many keepers there has been at this club there has kind of been an unsettled team.”

Neal has had a mixed season this year but clearly outlines his love for playing football on a regular basis.

He said: “I do think it is important that you have a regular, not just a goalkeeper, but a back four or five.

“It's been kind of an up-and-down season for me.

“I got injured in pre-season, got back fit, couldn't get my place back at Port Vale, went on loan to Doncaster, got recalled there.

"Played a few games for Vale and then came to Bury, but I've loved every minute of it.”

Bury return to Gigg Lane this weekend after back-to-back away matches, winning at Swindon last Saturday before losing 2-1 at Scunthorpe in midweek.

Midfielder Kelvin Etuhu was sent off at Scunthorpe so is suspended for Saturday's visit of Millwall, while veteran striker Ryan Lowe, who is out of contract in the summer, will be looking for his 200th career goal in what could be his penultimate game at Gigg Lane in Bury colours.