Crewe Alex: Keeper Collis ready to ask for loan move

By mbaggaley crewe alex michael baggaley

by Michael Baggaley

CREWE keeper Steve Collis will look for a loan move if he's not a first-team regular next season, says his agent, Rachel Anderson.

Collis was signed by former boss Steve Holland from Southend last summer, but fell out of favour when Holland was replaced by Gudjon Thordarson at Christmas.

The 28-year-old only played twice under Thordarson as the Icelander brought in John Ruddy on loan from Everton.

However, Ruddy has returned to Goodison Park while Stuart Tomlinson has been released.

That leaves Collis competing with 22-year-old Adam Legzdins for a place, unless Thordarson brings in a new keeper.

Collis has a year left on his contract at Crewe, and Anderson is set to discuss his future with Thordarson over the next few days.

She said: "Steve wants first-team football, that's why he went to the club. There have been a number of changes there and we are hopeful things can go back to normal now.

"We are hoping that pre season will be a clean slate for him.

"Steve wouldn't be happy being on the bench in League Two, I don't think anyone would be if they played at a higher level. A loan would be a possibility. Hopefully that won't be necessary."

Anderson says Collis was unhappy he didn't have specialist coaching for much of last season.

That was addressed at the end of January when Thordarson recruited Steve Marsella, a goalkeeper coach he had previously worked with at Barnsley and Notts County.

Anderson added: "Steve believes you should have a coach for a goalkeeper. It was one of the conditions of him going there."