BURY FC's young starlets will be taking a leaf out of the Olivia Newton-John songbook during the summer.

Because the message from manager Graham Barrow is that they need to 'Get Physical'!

Ability-wise there's plenty to admire about the young players who are forcing themselves into the Shakers first team frame.

Nevertheless, Barrow reckons they'll be even more of an asset once they're physically stronger.

With that in mind he expects his likely lads to spend plenty of time in the gym during the close season.

"No-one is asking them to come back to pre-season training like Mr Universe but they have a great opportunity to strengthen up in the summer," he said.

"I think you could see at Northampton that we just lacked a bit of of strength on the day.

"I always noticed when I played against players from the top level that they had the physique to go with their ability.

"If you tackle a Premiership player it's like hitting a brick wall, that's how they have got to be.

"Our lads will be busy in the summer, make no mistake, there will be no excuses."

Saturday's defeat also highlighted the lack of experience in the current squad, something the manager is keen to address after next weekend's final game of the season against Macclesfield Town.

"There is still a place at the club for the young lads who have come into the team but we do need experienced players to bring them along," he added.

"Jon Cartledge will tell you how much he's benefited from playing with the likes of Dave Challinor.

"It's clear to me that's what we are missing as it should be to everyone. I'll just have to put my case to the powers-that-be at the club and see where we go from there.

"We have made mistakes in the last few away games that were weren't doing a few weeks ago.

"Players have to perform for 90 minutes not just the first 20, and when we have to be more resilient when the heat is turned up on us and we are under pressure.

"I don't see any reason to be despondent, although it was disappointing to lose on Saturday, looking to next season I feel we can get excited as long as we do the business in the summer."

One player Barrow singled out for special praise was Dave Nugent who scored the club's second goal at Sixfields.

The young Scouser has had a fine end to the campaign and Barrow is looking for more of the same after the break.

"Dave has had an outstanding last third of the season and now he has to come back all guns blazing after the summer," he said.

"It's important he starts pre-season the way he is playing now.

"I may be wrong, but I think he came back last summer expecting to be a fixture in the team, that's how it appeared to me.

"But the message to all the players is there will be no automatic choices for a starting place next year, it's up to them to earn it during pre-season."