Bury move to tie up Picken (From The Bolton News)

Bury move to tie up Picken

10:40am Thursday 26th January 2012 in Bury FC By Nick Jackson

SHAKERS right-back Phil Picken is the latest of Richie Barker’s players to be offered an extended deal.

The 26-year-old former Manchester United trainee is out of contract in summer, and has been offered a deal which will keep him at Gigg Lane until 2014, in keeping with a number of other players.

Barker has succeeded in holding on to his prized assets in midfield – captain Steven Schumacher, Peter Sweeney and David Worrall – while Mark Carrington, who was contracted only until the end of January, will stay at least until summer.

Left-back Joe Skarz is also close to signing an extension to his deal, also until 2014.

“It will make my job easier, come March/April when I’m speaking to people, because I will have a good idea what I will have left,” said Barker.

Looking ahead to Saturday’s clash at derby rivals Rochdale, who beat his side 4-2 in September, and Tuesday’s trip to face League One leaders Charlton Athletic, Barker said: “All the form goes out the window in local derbies.

“Our fans were disappointed by our performances first time round, but, at the end of the day, you still only get three points for it.

“It will be an enjoyable atmosphere and it will be great to go there on the back of what we’ve been achieving at the minute.”