David Artell will travel to Cheltenham later today to discuss defender's future.

David Artell will travel to Cheltenham later today to meet with Jon Guthrie’s father to discuss the future of the Crewe defender. Artell rates his centre-half extremely highly and he wants the 24-year-old to commit his future to the club beyond the summer.

Guthrie had played 38 games this season before a hernia injury halted his involvement in February. The former Pewsey Vale man is hopeful of playing again this season.

Artell told the club’s official web-site: “I met with Jon and it was all positive. I was positive, he was positive and then he spoke with his agent and it wasn’t so positive again.

“So I have set up a meeting with his dad. He is smart guy and wants the best for his son and Jon holds his dad in high regard. I think it is important that his dad knows what I am about as a manager and what I want for his son.

“Maybe if Jon hears things from a different voice and his dad knows that I want the best for Jon, then I hope to persuade him to stay.

“Jon has a bit of development to go and I want his career to go in the right direction. If he stays with us then I am convinced he will go beyond where his agent things he can go this summer.”