Boss says tough decisions had to be made over younger members of the squad.

Alex Morris believes that younger members of the Crewe Alexandra squad that have been released need to branch out and forge a career for themselves elsewhere after being unable to establish a regular place in the first-team squad.

The club have not offered contracts to Nathan Woodthorpe, Joe Robbins or Tyreece Onyeka and they have become free agents after their current deals expire.

Morris told the club’s official website: “The younger boys that have been released haven’t been able to establish themselves in the first team and when they get to 20,21, 22 then they need to be playing regular football.

“They have to find a way into the squad by that age and in the end it is not fair to keep them. They have to forge a career elsewhere.

“They will perhaps benefit from a new start, a fresh start and football is ruthless and everything is always done in the best interests of the club.

Morris added: “It is never a nice thing to do, but there is a necessity to make those decisions and I am comfortable in making those decisions.”