Baker wants young forward to remain at Crewe and enhance his reputation further

Neil Baker says that in his opinion Max Clayton would benefit from playing and scoring goals in the Crewe first-team. The club have made the talented teenager an improved offer but the local lad has given no indication thus far about his future.

Clayton suffered a frustrating last season after fracturing his ankle in an FA Cup tie against Wycombe Wanderers, but he regained his fitness to make himself available for the final four games of the season. Clayton also scored a wonderfully taken winner in the final of the Under-21 Development League Two Final against QPR.

Baker told the club’s official web-site: “We would like Max to stay. He didn’t play as much as he would liked last season, mainly due to injury and before that due to form.

“The players that have moved on from this club are ready to go. The timing is right. They have cracked the league they are playing in and need to go to a higher level and challenge themselves.

“In my opinion Max would benefit from another season with us, playing in our team and scoring goals. I think that would be the best thing for his career, but as I’ve said it is only my opinion and we’ll have to see what happens.”