Crewe Alexandra’s assistant manager, Kenny Lunt, remains confident that defender George Ray will agree new terms with the club and sign a new contract this summer. The former Wales Under-21 International has yet to put-pen-to-paper on a new deal but Lunt believes that the talented centre-half will only benefit from playing regularly again next season.

Ray was propelled back into the starting XI under David Artell last season, with the Crewe Alexandra manager even handed him the responsibility of the captain’s armband before a back injury prematurely ended his season at Yeovil.

Kenny told crewealex.net: “George has not signed yet, but I hope he does.

“I am sure he is enjoying a holiday and thinking about things, but I hope he comes in and signs sooner rather than later. There will come a time when we need to know what he is thinking but he is Under-24, so we are protected by compensation.

“His best bet is to get his head down, sign his contract and get back to doing what he is best at. I’m not overly worried and I hope he signs.”