BURY boss Stan Ternent today told wantaway striker Phil Stant: "I want you to stay."

Veteran goal poacher Stant believes his time is up at Gigg Lane due to a lack of first team opportunities and domestic difficulties caused by living in the Midlands and his wife working in London.

But Ternent insisted today: "If people think I want Phil Stant to leave, they couldn't be more wrong.

"The only reason he is fifth choice striker at the moment is down to him.

"You pick up the record books and you see he scores you 20 goals a season. I couldn't pick up another striker like that if he left and I want to make it clear that I would be absolutely delighted if he would stay.

"It's Phil who wants to leave because of his personal circumstances. We understand his problems and we always do what we can to try and help our players. But as far as Phil is concerned the only reason he is fifth choice at the moment is because he is hell bent on moving."

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