Crewe are close to offering Morecambe defender Darran Kempson a contract, reports BBC Radio Stoke.

The 21-year-old is with the squad at a training in Portugal and has made a good impression on the Alex management.

Crewe need to bolster their rearguard because all of their central defenders have left the club and they have only recruited Julian Baudet and Neil Cox.

Assistant boss Neil Baker said: "We've been impressed with him and it looks as though we'll be offering him a deal."