Fit-again goalkeeper on his number one rival and the new captain

The club’s experienced goalkeeper Steve Phillips has made a successful return to training following knee surgery to remove a lump and now he is set to put pressure on current number one Alan Martin. Phillips, 34, knows that he will have to wait for his chance to displace the club’s in-form goalkeeper.

Steve told crewealex.net: “Alan has done exceptionally well and we both know that there are two goalkeepers going for the one spot. That is football and I know that I will have for a chance. All I can do is play well and train well and see what happens. “

The former Bristol Rovers and City goalkeeper has also placed his support behind Luke Murphy as the new club captain. Phillips, with all his experience and personality was a leading contender for the armband after Ash Westwood moved on to Aston Villa on deadline day, but Phillips says that having Murphy lead by example is good for the team.

Steve explained to crewealex.net: “I thought Murph was excellence for us last season and he has carried that on.

“He is a quiet, laid-back character and leads by example by what he does on the pitch. He isn’t a shouter but in truth I haven’t had that since I came to Crewe anyway. It is a bit different and I like it. It works well and the other lads look up to him because he is one of our best players. He was a star for us last season and we need him to be like that again this season.”