CREWE’S assistant manager Kenny Lunt expects George Ray to put pen to paper on a new contract this week - and reckons that is great news for the Alex.

The defender is expected to sign a new two-year deal to end the speculation that has being growing since the end of the season.

The former Wales Under-21 International has informed the club of his decision to extend his stay at Gresty Road and Lunt couldn’t hide his delight in last season’s captain committing his future to the club.

Lunt said: “We’re delighted that George has agreed the contract and will sign on Thursday.

“It’s what we have been waiting for.

“It was a bit of a drag but I’ve spoken to him and he is happy to sign.

“We have got to where we wanted to be and it’s great news for the club. It is also good news for George.

“He can get his head down and concentrate on his football now. We rate George as a top player here and soon as he came back into the first team he did really well.

“Hopefully, he can keep improving and become the player we all think he can become.

“Everyone can see his ability. He just needs to become even more consistent and get rid of those odd mistakes.

“He has started to do that.

“He does a lot of good things.

“He wins his headers; he is good on the ball and hard to get past. He is a good defender.

“He’s hard working.

“He has been in over the summer.

“He is a great character and leads by example and he puts his body on the line for the team.

“He’ll do anything he can to try and get the best result for the football club.”

Meanwhile Lunt has once again reiterated that the club are on the look-out for defensive reinforcements.

However it appears that interest in the former Manchester United, Sunderland and England defender, Wes Brown is beginning to cool.

Alex boss David Artell was interested in talking with the vastly experienced defender, who has played at right-back and at centre-back during a career that saw him win five Premier League titles and two Champions League titles.

Lunt admitted that Brown was discussed as an option following his summer release from Blackburn Rovers but they have no talks planned.

“Wes was an interesting one and we did discuss it,” said Lunt.

“He was supposed to come in and speak to us but for certain reasons it never quite happened.

“It would have been nice to speak to him but since then we have had to move on.

“We have had to look at different options.

“I wouldn’t say there is no chance, but we’ll have to see what happens.”