Crewe boss Dario Gradio has rewarded promising defender Chris McCready with a new deal.

The 21-year-old's contract will now keep him at Gresty Road until June 2004.

Gradi said McCready has earned his new deal after some solid first-team performances.

"Chris has done well in the games and shown he can play in the first-team," Gradi told the club's website.

"We haven't lost any points because he has played."

McCready, who was taken on by the Railwaymen as a trainee, has stepped in following injuries to regular defenders Stephen Walton and Dave Foster.

Trio David Vaughan, Ben Rix and Lee Bell have also put pen to paper on new contracts.