David Artell is hopeful that the club and himself can convince our top scorer, Chris Porter, to extend his stay with us. Porter’s three-year deal is set to expire at the end of the month and the former Sheffield United forward has already rejected the club’s first offer.

Artell admits that talks remain ongoing with the 36-year-old and he is hopeful that Porter will continue to spearhead our attack in League One.

The Crewe boss explained: “Talks with Chris are ongoing and they continue to do so.

“When we signed Chris three years ago and I asked him why he wanted to come to Crewe, he said ‘I think you have a great chance of being promoted’. He had never been promoted, so that is the final box we have ticked from that initial meeting.

“I think we have made him a better player. I think Chris would admit that himself. We changed his style and played to his strengths more with him being 36 now.

“I still think there is more to come from him and from us. He has been terrific for us, he really has. He is a top pro and carried the line for a good number of games. He has been top scorer for two out of the three, so he has been terrific.

The boss added: “He could have gone elsewhere when we got him but the two years with a year option swung it for us. I was prepared to stick my neck out on a 32, 33 year-old then and he has paid that faith back. We knew we were getting the right character in and we were prepared to that. I hope that continues.”