Captain frustrated by set-backs and falsehoods that he refused contract talks with the club

Club captain Matt Tootle is hoping that his recent run of bad luck will be coming to an abrupt end soon. The 24-year-old has not played since the end of October after picking up a serious virus and then going over on his ankle twice.

final game of 2014.  Last season’s Player-of-the-Season did return to full fitness to feature for the club’s Development Squad and was most recently named on the substitutes’ bench for the visit of Preston North End for our

January. ^thTootle’s cursing luck continued though in the New Year when he landed awkwardly in the club’s gym and aggravated his ankle again. It kept him out of the Gillingham game but the versatile defender is hoping to push on and hopefully be involved for the local derby against Port Vale on 24

Matt told Crewe Alex Player: “I've had a long list of bad luck and it has escalated to a few things being said. I can only put it out there that I have had a serious illness and I've had a lot of work to do to come back from that. I lost a lot of weight and I've had more bad luck since then with a few injuries, one in an under 21 game and another was a fall in the gym – only I could have done that!

“It wasn't definite but they put it down to meningitis in the end. I'm not sure, it was an unidentified virus but it was a bad one. 

“I've never had a time out of the team as long as this. I've never had to deal with it.

“To be honest, my family would tell you, it's absolutely killed me. It has really, really, hurt. Because of what I think I have done for this club and what I've been through with the fans.

“I have played for this club longer than some of them have even supported Crewe, I've been here for 15 years. Crewe is all I know and I've never refused contract talks, I haven't been told I've been offered one and that's out of my hands.

“Anyone who does well at Crewe is linked with a move, I had that and that's fair enough. Obviously they (some fans) are used to unloyal players, but I'm not like that.”

to subscribe. hereThere is more from Matt now available on Crewe Alex Player. Why not subscribe now for just £19.99 for the next six months. Click