Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has revealed that during initial talks he has held with Perry Ng, the defender has expressed his desire to sign a new contact with the club.

Ng, who made 43 appearances last season, scoring four goals, still has 12 months to run on his current deal, but Artell expressed last week that tying the 22-year-old on a longer deal is 'his number one priority.'

Ng was one of the club’s most consistent performers last season, playing in various positions when asked and he chipped in with some crucial goals, most notably away at Morecambe and Stevenage.

Artell told crewealex.net: “Perry’s agent has emailed me back this morning on the offer we out to Pez. I will reply to him today.

“I’ve had a conversation with Perry and he loved it last year. It was his breakthrough season really and he did terrific for us. He told me he wanted to stay and that is 7/10 of the battle if you like.

“We have to make it right for him, for him to feel valued and to keep him fully motivated by the length of contract we offer him. I’m sure there will be a discussion with his agent but we have to reach common ground. We have to offer him a contract to reflect his value but also live within our means too.”