Crewe Alexandra

Crewe Alexandra
Gradi closing in on new signings Crewe boss Dario Gradi says two of his transfer targets have told him they are prepared to move to Gresty Road. "I've been contacted by a couple of players who have suggested they would be willing to sign," Gradi revealed. "That would be a good start for us because it would increase the competition for places up front. "It is nice to know players are willing to come here and maybe we will do something next week but we will wait and see," he told the club website

Ince denies reports of retirement
Crewe goalkeeper Clayton Ince has denied reports that he has retired from international football. The Trinidad & Tobago international, 33, has 61 caps - but asked to withdraw from the squad for last week's World Cup qualifier against Mexico. "I had some personal problems that I had to sort out, and I decided I should step away and take some time to myself," he told Crewe's website. "Being left out was never a problem - only 11 players can be picked."

Gradi wants Lunt future clarified
Crewe manager Dario Gradi says he wants the future of midfielder Kenny Lunt sorted out as soon as possible. The 25-year-old, who has a year left on his current contract, has been told he can leave if the right offer comes in. "We need to know if he is staying before the players return for pre-season on 30 June," Gradi said. "There has been some interest but nothing concrete. We have made it quite clear we expect a fee for him because he is still under contract with us."

Crewe Alexandra legend Lord dies
Former Crewe Alexandra legend Frank Lord has died at the age of 69. Lord, renowned for his heading ability, scored an outstanding 73 goals in 118 starts for the Alex after joining the club in 1961. The striker also played for Stockport County, Blackburn Rovers and Plymouth Argyle during an illustrious career in the 1960s. After he finished his playing career, Lord then moved to South Africa where he managed a number of teams.

Parkin will think over next move
Swindon striker Sam Parkin says he will take his time before deciding which Championship club to join this summer. Parkin revealed he has already spoken to Watford, while Ipswich, Norwich and Brighton have also tabled bids for the prolific 24-year-old marksman. "Things are a bit up in the air at the moment but I am hoping to speak to all interested parties," he told BBC Sport. "But it may take a few days and I will not make a hasty decision. I've waited a long time for this opportunity." Ipswich boss Joe Royle sees the former Chelsea trainee as the ideal replacement for top scorer Shefki Kuqi, who is set to leave Portman Road. Parkin scored 24 goals last season and Royle said: "Sam was top of our list if Shefki went. "But our interest is still very much at an early stage and beyond that I don't want to say too much. "The chairman is talking to Swindon and it is an ongoing situation, but by the end of the week I hope to have a much clearer idea of our strikeforce for next season." Parkin, who turned down a new two-year contract with the Robins last week, has just returned from a three-week holiday in Australia but says his transfer was never far from his mind. "I'd be lying if I said I hadn't been thinking about it," he added. "The idea was to have a break and get away from it all but I spent the majority of time either on the phone or the internet trying to keep up with developments back home."

Murdock turns down new Crewe deal
Crewe defender Colin Murdock has rejected a new contract. The Northern Ireland international centre-half, 29, has been at Gresty Road for two seasons. But Alex boss Dario Gradi said: "He's hoping he'll get a better offer - a longer contract with more money - which is pretty well what we expected. "He's keeping his options open back here as well. I've said I'll wait until we're back training which is at the back end of next week."

McCready welcomes new Crewe deal
Crewe defender Chris McCready is hoping to earn a regular place next season, after penning a new one-year deal. The 23-year-old, who made his debut in December 2001, is now stepping up his training ahead of the new campaign, having undergone surgery on his knee. McCready told BBC Radio Stoke: "Having played 23 games last season, it's whetted my appetite for more. "A new contract gives me the opportunity to prove that I can play regularly in the Championship."

Gradi rues missing out on Parkin
Crewe boss Dario Gradi admits the Alex could not compete financially as target Sam Parkin joined Ipswich. Ipswich are believed to have paid about £750,000 for the Swindon striker, who Gradi had targeted last season. Gradi told Crewe's website: "We were interested in him but while we could have competed with the fee, we couldn't match the wages he will be on. "We're disappointed to to have lost out on him but I'm not surprised by the amount of clubs in for him." Meanwhile, Gradi has offered injury-hit defender Alex Morris, 22, non-contract terms after he had an operation to cure a shin splints problem. The 22-year-old's contract was due to expire this summer.

Trio sign new contracts at Crewe
Defender Adie Moses, striker Michael Higdon and midfielder Lee Bell have all signed new deals with Crewe. Moses, 30, has penned a contract for another year at Gresty Road. Higdon, 21, signed professional terms with Crewe in January 2001 and has recently converted from playing in midfield to take up a strikers role. Bell, 22, was a graduate from the Alex academy but has progressed into the first team and has agreed terms which will keep him at the club until 2007.

Sky Blues planning Staunton talks
Coventry boss Micky Adams is planning showdown talks with veteran defender Steve Staunton - who has failed to report for pre-season training. The 36-year-old has been linked with a move to League One side Walsall, who have offered him a player-coach role. Adams said: "I am very disappointed Stan has not turned in and I would like to find out the reason why." "Where do we go from here? That is something I need to speak to the player about before speaking to the press." Meanwhile, the Sky Blues have agreed terms with out-of-contract Crewe keeper Clayton Ince and striker James Scowcroft, who has been released by Leicester, reports BBC WM. Ince, 32, has signed a two-year deal, while Scowcroft, 29, is set to sign a three-year contract, subject to the player passing a medical. City have also taken ex-Nottingham Forest midfielder Darryl Powell on trial. Also hoping to earn deals are former QPR goalkeeper Chris Day and defender Paul Watson, who played under Adams at Brighton but was released by the Seagulls this summer.

Shrews sign Stallard and Sorvel
Shrewsbury have signed Barnsley striker Mark Stallard and Crewe midfielder Neil Sorvel on two-year contracts. Stallard, 30, only joined the Tykes last summer while Sorvel, 32, ends a six-year spell at Gresty Road. Shrews manager Gary Peters told the club website: "Mark's played in higher divisions and is a good target man. "Neil was offered a (one-year) contract and more money at Crewe, but he's come to Shrewsbury for the challenge. That's two really experienced players."

Ugarte completes Crewe transfer
Wrexham's top scorer last season Juan Ugarte has joined Crewe Alexandra on a free transfer. The 24-year-old Spaniard was out of contract at the Racecourse and rejected the offer of a new deal. Ugarte, who came to Wrexham in October and impressed with 22 goals in 38 appearances, has joined Crewe's pre-season training camp in Portugal. Crewe defender Colin Murdock is set to leave the club for Rotherham, though, having turned down a new two-year deal.

Rodgers' hopes hampered by injury
Striker Luke Rodgers has been prevented from joining up with Crewe Alexandra for their pre-season training camp in Portugal because of an ankle injury. The out-of-contract 23-year-old is trying to earn a deal at Gresty Road having rejected a new offer from his previous club Shrewsbury Town. Rodgers is expected to link up with the Alex squad for training on Friday as he seeks to impress boss Dario Gradi. Gradi has already completed a deal for prolific Wrexham hitman Juan Ugarte.

Rix's Spireites loan move on hold
Ben Rix's loan move to Chesterfield have been put on hold following an outbreak of mumps at Saltergate. The Crewe midfielder, 21, was given the go-ahead to leave to gain experience but a practice match with the Spireites was postponed because of illness. "I'm not telling him I want him to go out on loan but if he wants to he can. He was all set to go to Chesterfield," boss Dario Gradi told Crewe's website. Rix has yet to make a first-team appearance for the Alex this season.

Lincoln City 5-1 Crewe
Championship side Crewe bowed out of the Carling Cup in embarrassing fashion at League Two Lincoln. Lee Beevers put the Imps ahead with a superb 25-yard strike and Maheta Molango made it 2-0 from 12 yards. Richard Walker headed Crewe back into it before half-time but Gary Birch tapped home a third for Lincoln before making it 4-1 from the edge of the box. Lincoln substitute Marvin Robinson wrapped up his side's win late on, slotting home from close range. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Lincoln City: Marriott, Beevers, Bloomer, McCombe, Cryan, Brown (Folkes 87), Kerr, Keates, Molango (Marvin Robinson 80), Birch, Asamoah (Bacon 81). Subs Not Used: Green, Coleman. Goals: Beevers 6, Molango 35, Birch 64, 67, Marvin Robinson 83. Crewe: Williams (Tomlinson 45), Moss, Moses, Walker, Tonkin, Lunt, Billy Jones, Vaughan, Steve Jones, Ugarte (Johnson 59), Varney. Subs Not Used: Foster, Cochrane, Suhaj. Booked: Lunt. Goals: Walker 44. Att: 2,782 Ref: J P Robinson (E Yorkshire).

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