PROMOTION is already on the mind of Lee Clark after helping to steer Bury to League One safety.

The short-term objective was achieved on Sunday despite a 1-0 defeat at Southend.

Now the Bury boss is focusing on reshaping the squad into one capable of challenging for honours next term.

“It’s up to me and my staff to build a team where in the last game of next season we are playing for a big prize at the other end of the table,” Clark said.

“That’s what I want to be doing. I believe I can do it. I have got the chairman’s backing on that."

When chairman Stewart Day took over the club in 2013 he dreamed of taking Bury into the Championship within five years.

Clark twice led Huddersfield Town to the League One play-offs during a four-year spell as manager of the club.

And the Geordie believes he has the experience to take the Shakers one step further and turn the chairman’s dream into a reality.

He said: “Without being disrespectful to the teams that are in it (League One) now, the last time I was in it (between 2008 and 2012) there were 10 or 12 ex-Premier League clubs in the division.

“If I can recruit well and keep the players who have done really well for me since I have come in then we will give ourselves a chance.”

Clark's plans for the future will become clearer this week when he releases a retained list, which is expected after he has informed the players on Friday.

However, he has already made it clear that he is hoping to have wingers Danny Mayor and Zeli Ismail fully fit and available to Bury push for a first promotion to the second tier in 20 years.

Mayor returned from the bench against Southend on Sunday after spending three months on the sidelines, while Ismail has been out with a groin injury since November.

“Off-season is crucial for Danny – same for Zeli Ismail,” said Clark, who has been unable to call on either player in his three months as manager.

“They will be like two new, big signings for me. They both have the ability to change games.

“James (Vaughan) has got 24 goals this season, he could have another 10 or 15 if those two were in the team.

“We have been limited by the personnel and the system. There has been no flexibility. When I did try to change the system (in a 5-1 defeat) at Oxford, it backfired massively.

“We need players who are flexible so we have a plan A, B and C.”