MURPHY HEADS FOR EXIT DOOR AS ALEX LOOK TO REBUILD SQUAD

CAPTAIN Luke Murphy is among eight players who have been released by Crewe Alexandra after the club published their retained list. The midfielder joins Will Jaaskelainen, Chris Porter, Scott Kashket, Tyreece Onyeka, Joe Robbins, Nathan Woodthorpe and Sam Booth in leaving the club as new manager Alex Morris rebuilds for next season. Midfielder and players’ player of the year Tommy Lowery, who is also out of contract, is also expected to be on his way having failed to sign a new deal. Meanwhile, Morris has made clear he would like to keep striker Mikael Mandron, who is out of contract, and so there is an offer on the table for him although he doesn’t feature on the official retained list. Goalkeeper Dave Richards and midfielder Regan Griffiths have signed new deals, Connor O’riordan is among the scholars to have agreed professional deals, and fellow defender Travis Johnson has been offered a new contract. Crewe will be kicking off next season in League Two after relegation ended their two-year stay in League One. Morris has been appointed manager on a permanent basis having initially taken over as interim boss following Dave Artell’s departure last month.

Players still under contract for the 2022/23 season:

Rio Adebisi, Luke Offord, Christopher Long, Callum Ainley, Oli Finney, Dan Agyei, Madger Gomes, Bassala Sambou, Josh Lundstram, Billy Sass-davies, Tariq Uwakwe.

Players who have accepted new deals: David Richards, Regan Griffiths.

Player who has been offered a new deal: Travis Johnson.

Scholars who have agreed professional contracts:

Tom Booth, Lewis Billington, Charlie Finney, Connor O’riordan, Matus Holicek, Sean Lawton, Joel Tabiner.

Scholars who have been offered deals: Zac Williams, Connor Salisbury.

Players who have been released: Will Jaaskelainen, Chris Porter, Scott Kashket, Luke Murphy, Tyreece Onyeka, Joe Robbins, Nathan Woodthorpe, Sam Booth.

Players who have returned to their parent club: Ryan Alebiosu, Ben Knight, Rekeem Harper.