Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has not totally dismissed the idea of bringing back former captain George Ray on loan if he is available.

Ray left the club in the summer for League One Tranmere Rovers but the former Wales Under-21 International was been in-and-out of the side at Prenton Park.

With Crewe actively seeking a centre-half, Artell was asked directly if his former captain had possibly come into his thinking.

The boss told us: “I went to watch Tranmere the other night so I can see where that has come from. Was I watching George? Not particularly but I wasn’t not intentionally not watching him either. We know all about George and he knows all about us. We know he could do the job.

“I wouldn’t know if he was available and he may be too expensive anyway. I am not ruling him out but I am not ruling him in either at this stage. “