As expected John Brayford and Michael O'Connor were both in attendance as the Crewe Alexandra squad returned for pre-season training this morning. Crewe manager Gudjon Thordarson has told the club's official web-site that he has received no approach for either player and until otherwise they will remain very much part of his plans.

Both Brayford and O'Connor have been linked with Championship clubs during the close season but Thordarson has not ruled out both of them starting the season with us on August 8^th.

Thordarson told crewealex.net: "The only thing certain in football is that you never know. You never know what might happen and all you can do is take what it in front of you.

"As far as I am concerned both John and Michael are our players. They are in for training today and I have received no offers for them. Derby have declared a long-tern interest in John because Nigel Clough knows of him from Burton but that doesn't mean we have had a bid or anything like that.

"That is the situation as we stand. They are Crewe players and they are training with us."

Thordarson also believes that the rumour and speculation regarding the players' future will not affect them as they embark on getting fit during a challenging pre-season.

Gudjon told the club's official web-site: "Both are professional players and they know that the most important thing is to play football and act properly. They will do that and do themselves justice out on the pitch.

"There is no point dealing with speculation because nothing has happened and you just have to get on with things and prepare accordingly. At the moment those two in our thoughts but like I have said you never know what can happen in football. It can change with one phone call."