DAVID Buchanan — Bury’s own Mr Versatile — is hoping his ability to play in a number of positions will secure his long-term future at Gigg Lane.

The 23-year-old, who has been at the club since coming through the ranks as a trainee in 2005, is out of contract in the summer.

The Rochdale-born ace should rack up his 200th first team appearance in the Shakers’ home clash with Darlington on January 9, and he hopes to significantly add to that number in the coming years.

And he realises that should happen if he keeps impressing in a variety of positions.

“I am one of those players that can do a number of different jobs in the team and that is good for everyone,” he said.

“It doesn’t faze me — if the gaffer tells me to play in a certain position, I will do that.

“The team is more important than myself and I think I am learning all the time.

“I think I am doing a good job at right-back — even though everyone knows left-back is my strongest position — and as long as I am doing well and the team is moving in the right direction I am happy to do the job.

“Every day in training I work on my strengths and weaknesses and I am happy with the way things are going.

“Moving to right-back has made people notice me more and that is why, hopefully, I will get offered a new contract.

“I have spoken with the manager about a new deal, but there is nothing concrete at the minute.

“The club have told me they want me to stay, I want to stay and hopefully we can sort something out.”

Buchanan was particularly pleased to play a key role in Bury earning their first clean sheet in seven games against Barnet on Saturday.

In their previous outing, the team had shipped three goals at Morecambe and manager Alan Knill ensured his team made a conscious effort to block out the opposition.

“We tried to stop the crosses and keep a clean sheet, so it was nice to get that after conceding a few goals lately,” said Buchanan. “That’s one of the most important things from Saturday.

“Keeping clean sheets is what us defenders are there for.

“On the pitch we always looked comfortable and they didn’t really hurt us until they put three up front.

“They got a little bit of joy then, but we knuckled down and stayed strong and came away with three points.”