CHRIS Hussey looks set to become the next Bury player to extend his stay at the club after manager David Flitcroft confirmed he was in negotiations with the full-back over a long-term deal.

The 25-year-old defender is currently on loan from play-off hopefuls Burton Albion, but with his Brewers’ contract due to run out at the end of the season Flitcroft is ready to swoop.

And after snapping up centre-back Pablo Mills on a 12-month contract on Thursday, the Bury boss admitted there could be yet more deals to be done before the end of the current campaign.

“Negotiations have been under way for a few days now, we are just trying to do it systematically,” he said.

“We spent a lot of time on the Pabs one. We got that over the line and now we turn our attentions to Huss.”

The full-back weighed in with another assist yesterday, putting in a sublime cross for Daniel Nardiello to head home Bury’s third goal in a comprehensive 4-0 victory at home to Plymouth Argyle.

The Shakers’ fourth victory in their last five games moved them to within seven points of the League Two play-off places with three matches to play.

And while their promotion chances now look slim, Flitcroft believes Hussey will be playing at a higher level before too long.

“I love the guy, I really do,” he said.

“He’s found a home, a bit like Pabs has, and he’s repaying us.

“He’s left a promotion-hunting team to come and join us when we were down at the bottom of the league, so that tells me his character is right.

“His quality is undoubtedly Championship and I am going to make sure that the bits Chris Hussey needs building up to make him better, we will put in however many hours of work it takes on the training pitch to put that right because I think he’s fantastic.

“He’s going to get real support, but there’s so much more to come from him. There is at least another 20 per cent in terms of his physical development and power.

“I said to him as he came off the pitch ‘you’ve found a home, respect that home and be part of that home because we will support you and look after you here’.”