Artell says he would consider Ray as skipper if defender signs new deal this summer.

Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell has revealed that he would be happy to make George Ray his club captain again if the centre-half signs a new deal this summer. Artell made the former Wales Under-21 International his captain after succeeding Steve Davis as manager in January.

The Academy graduate regained his starting place under Artell and ended the season strongly before he was injured at Yeovil at Easter. A fracture in his back ended his campaign, but Crewe managed to remain in the EFL with the versatile Billy Bingham filling in superbly in the centre of the defence.

Artell has stated that he expects Ray to re-sign but he admits it was important to add more ‘captains’ to his squad with the purchases of Michael Raynes and Chris Porter this summer.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Potentially, George could be captain. Why not? If George Ray came to me and said I want to be captain, then there is no reason why I couldn’t give it him.

“He would have to get in the team first. Just because you are captain doesn’t mean you are an automatic choice. It’s not like cricket where the captain always plays, but there is no reason why he can’t be captain as long as he is doing the business.”