Shearer's departure could open the door for goalkeeper return

Following yesterday’s departure of goalkeeper Scott Shearer by mutual consent, Steve Davis has stressed that he will be getting a new goalkeeper to challenge Ben Garratt for the number one spot. Last season the Crewe Alexandra boss did go into a number of games without a substitute goalkeeper on the bench, but he signed the experienced Paul Rachubka just in time after Garratt suffered a fracture in his leg away at Barnsley in February.

Rachubka, a former goalkeeper with the likes of Leeds United, Oldham and Blackpool, played a key role in seeing Crewe safe in League One and the 34-year-old would top the manager’s wanted list if he was willing to re-sign.

The former Manchester United trainee made 15 appearances after replacing the injured Garratt and kept clean-sheets against Swindon, Scunthorpe and Crawley Town.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “Now that Scott has decided to leave the club in search of first team football, we have to go to the next step to what we want to do.

“I would like a goalkeeping coach and remain in contact with Fred (Barber), so we will see what he has planned going forward. He would certainly be a candidate for the position as I don’t want another senior goalkeeper coaching at the same time.

“We have kept in touch with Paul and he has been in during the summer to keep himself ticking over. He lives locally and I’m sure if was to come back that he would challenge Ben for the number one position.

He added: “He made a mistake at Barnsley on his debut but he didn’t let that affect his performances and he did very well for us at a crucial time of the season.”