CREWE Alexandra manager Steve Davis says the club are hoping to keep defender Jon Guthrie at Gresty Road.

It is reported Guthrie was offered a new contract at the Alex six weeks ago but he is yet to put pen to paper.

The defender was picked up by Crewe in 2012 on a 10-week trial after progressing through the youth system of Pewsey Vale.

Manager Davis says he hopes to get the deal done after speaking with Guthrie’s representatives.

“We’re speaking to Jon’s agent this week I think,” he said.

“It’s important to get him sorted and we’re pressing on to get that going.

“He’s had the offer now for six weeks, so time is ticking on and we just want to know where we’re going to be to prepare for next season and the season after.

“It’s important for us to plan ahead and with Jon’s current deal running until the end of the season, we are keen to tie him down and get him to accept the contract that we’ve offered him.”

Crewe Alex travel to Notts County on Saturday (KO 3pm) after picking up a point at Luton Town last weekend to keep themselves in contention for the play-off spots.

One player that may return to the squad after injury is Chelsea loanee Alex Kiwomya after playing 45 minutes against Coventry City for the under-23s on Monday.

The young winger has been an impressive addition for the Railwaymen so far including a nomination for Football League Two’s player of the month in August.

Davis added: “He didn’t really commit himself physically through the game [at Coventry], he was a bit too cautious in his approach.

“It’s difficult to make a judgment to how close he’ll be for the weekend.

“He’ll train today and we’ll see how he goes and I’ll assess him day by day.

“The opposition aren’t going to leave him alone so we’ll get around him in training and test him out.

“It’s more of a mental thing than a physical thing and we’ll try and get him back up to speed.

“He’s done remarkably well to be where he is after three-and-a-half weeks with that type of injury - he’s worked hard to come back.”

James Jones is set to return to the first team after playing for Scotland’s Under-21s in the international break.

Jones played 88 minutes for his country on Tuesday night but fell short to Macedonia by losing 2-0 in their final U21 European Championships Qualifier.

It was the first time the midfielder had been called up for Scotland but will not have the opportunity to represent his country as the youth team failed to qualify for U21 Euro 2017.

Defender George Ray missed the trip to Luton at the weekend with a niggling groin injury that worsened after the Wolves game.