Alex Morris says that new signing Conor Thomas will add exactly what his new-look Crewe Alexandra side need both on and off the pitch.

Thomas, 28, has arrived from Cheltenham Town with a wealth of midfield experience and the Alex boss believes that the former Coventry City man will prove to an invaluable leader both on and off the pitch.

Morris told the club’s official website: “We are really pleased to have signed Conor. He is a very good player but he will also play an important role off the pitch.

“When I met him, he spoke about discipline and standards of training and I thought he is perfectly aligned to what we want to create here. I am sure he can become a real outstanding leader for us. I believe that will be the case with Kelvin (Mellor) as well. We know all about Kelvin and what he will bring in that sense too.

“It was important to get those types in and we feel that Conor will have that influence both on and off the pitch. He wants to be here. We could have gone elsewhere for a greater financial package or whatever but he was sold on coming in and buying in to what we want to do.

Alex added: “We were able to convince him to come here and we are delighted to have added him to the teams as we are with Kelvin and more recently, Courtney.”