BURY vice-captain Craig Jones is hoping a successful promotion push could help “wing” him into the Wales national side.

The 27-year-old former midfielder believes his recent switch to a wing-back role with the Shakers could be the key to his international chances.

Jones scored at Carlisle and against Stevenage this week, helping Bury to back-to-back victories.

And he hopes that form in front of goal, as well as progression in the defensive side of his game, could catch the eye of Wales manager Chris Coleman.

Asked whether he believed he could break into the national side, Jones replied: “Absolutely yes, definitely – that’s where I want to get to. If I can keep performing and maybe put a few more (goals) away then I might just do that. I need to keep improving and hopefully get a promotion with this team then I think that they will definitely start to look.

“Wales have started playing a 3-5-2 as well, which would suit me.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone in the set-up of late, but I have worked with the first team coach there before – Osian (Roberts) – so hopefully that’s something I can do again.”

Jones was brought to Bury by Richie Barker in June, 2012, as a winger, but he has played in a number of different roles under current boss David Flitcroft – starting the season as a right-back before being moved forward following a switch to the side’s formation.

“I am an attacking player so that’s a position I probably prefer, as long as I can start putting my chances away,” he added.

The former Shakers captain is now hoping for a longer run in the side to cement his transformation after a stop-start beginning to the campaign.

After limping out of the season opener he missed four matches with a mystery back problem that eventually led to a surprise diagnosis.

“I fell awkwardly on my back and then got some pain in my groin area, so I had to see a specialist,” he said, after suffering with similar symptoms in the past.

“It (the pain) always seemed to be on the same side and we couldn’t quite figure out what it was.

“It turns out it was to do with my feet, with one leg being shorter than the other. It was quite a complicated thing, but I went to see an orthotics guy and I’ve had some insoles made now.”

Jones is expected to retain his place for today’s visit of League Two leaders Burton Albion, when he will be looking to extend his scoring run to a third successive game.