BURY boss Richie Barker is keeping a cool head over transfer speculation surrounding his stand-out player of the season, David Worrall.

The 21-year-old wide man was in superb form yet again in the Shakers’ stunning 4-2 win at play-off hopefuls Notts County on Saturday, opening the scoring with an audacious strike from outside the area.

Although Manchester-born Worrall’s season has been punctuated by spells of injury and illness, he has always excelled on the pitch and it now appears several Championship clubs may be showing an interest in him.

With two years left on his contract, a Worrall move looks likely to attract a hefty fee.

Barker has always said he considered such eventualities an indication of how well his young side have acquitted themselves having made Bury mathematically certain of League One football next season with the win at Meadow Lane.

“We don’t want to sell him,” said Barker. “But if a player can go and play at the next level and we can improve the club, then that’s a good thing.

“David is an extremely popular lad. I think the world of him as a person and as a player.

“I’ve said all along that we will not stand in people’s way, and if helps to develop the football club, we understand what sometimes needs to be done.

“But let’s not get carried away. Things in the press can come from all sorts of different areas, but it would not surprise me if it was true.”

Meanwhile, the player himself has nothing but gratitude for the way Barker and his assistant manager Peter Shirtliff have helped him during the season.

“The gaffer’s really looked after me,” said Worrall after admitting his initial stop-start season had been frustrating.

“I’ve had a few managers and he’s the best I’ve had. He’s helped me out during the week, and my confidence has never been so high. That’s thanks to him and Shirty.

“Whatever happens, happens. The gaffer has always said he’d look after me and do what’s best for me, and that’s why I’ve got a lot time for him.”