CRAIG Jones has committed his future to Bury, irrespective of which division they end up playing in next season.

The 26-year-old Welsh winger will miss the remainder of the League One campaign after suffering a thigh and hamstring injury at Bournemouth on Saturday.

But, if manager Kevin Blackwell chooses to keep the former TNS midfielder, he has promised to repay him by helping Bury bounce straight back from what now looks like certain relegation.

Jones said: “I signed a two-year contract when I came here and I’m looking to see that out. Who knows what can happen after that?

“I haven’t played as much football as I would have liked this season, but I’ve still got another year here and if we do go down I would certainly like to be part of the team that helps us get back up.”

Jones has endured a frustrating first season in league football, making just seven starts since arriving at Gigg Lane in the summer.

Three of those came under caretaker boss Peter Shirtliff, and his accurate crosses and energetic performances quickly won him a place in the Bury fans’ hearts.

But the young winger was relegated to the bench when Blackwell took over in September and only gained his first start under the Bury boss at Portsmouth a few weeks ago following an injury to Tom Soares.

Despite that disappointment, Jones has continued to put in the effort in training. And with senior midfielders like David Worrall and Steven Schumacher likely to be sold in the summer if Bury go down, he could well become the mainstay of the Shakers midfield next season.

He said: “I’m not the type of player to go knocking doors down. I want what’s best for the football club.

“I said I would wait for my chance and I’ve done that.

“There’s only been one time I’ve not been involved under Kevin, all the other games I have been on the bench, so that told me I wasn’t too far away.

“The chance came for me with the unfortunate injuries we’ve had, so hopefully I’ve taken it.”