Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has reiterated that progressing talks with Perry Ng over a new contact is his ‘top of the priority list’. Artell opened initial talks with the defender before the conclusion of the season, but he admits that no major progress has been made since with the manager, player and his agent all enjoying their summer break at different times.

Artell has left a message with Ng’s agent but he is likely to be in Russia for the World Cup with some of his more high-profile clients. The Crewe boss has time on his side, because the Liverpool-born defender still has 12 months to run on his current deal.

The Alex boss told us: “Perry is top of my list of priorities. I’ve been away, he has been away and our paths haven’t really crossed this summer but I have left a message with his agent and I am sure we will have a conversation soon enough.

“He is a super agent and I am sure he has been in Russia with some of his players. He is a good guy and I like him. We have always got on when we have met in the past and Perry is top of my list. We know he is a key component of the team after the year he has had.

“I will pick the ball back up with that one as soon as I can.”