NEW DEAL INSPIRES RICHARDS

DAVE Richards is more determined than ever to gain the No.1 shirt at Crewe for next season after extending his current contract to 2019.

The Welshman, 24, produced a man-of-the-match performance on his debut at Coventry last September before Ben Garrett regained the starting spot.

But the taste of firstteam action has given the stopper all the incentive he needs to fight for the top spot.

He said: “I am focused on being fit and fresh for pre-season so I am knocking on the door for the shirt. Everything I will be doing now will be preparing to push for that shirt.”