George Ray has resumed his conditioning training with the Football Club after recently returning from holiday. Ray is out of contract this summer, but manager David Artell is confident that the centre-half will re-sign for the club. Crewe would receive a compensation payment if Ray was to move on to another club.

The Alex boss has already held talks with the former Wales Under-21 defender and has revealed that it has been positive so far.

David told the club’s official web-site: “I have not spoken to George’s agent, but I will do. George has told me his feelings and he knows how highly I rate him. I’m confident he will sign.

“It really is a question of timings with him and he has every right to wait. He has been on holiday and I’ve been away but we are both back now and I’m sure something will happen soon enough.

“We want him to an integral part of the team and he knows that. I am not overly worried.”