Nicky Maynard is Crewe Academy's latest graduate (Getty)

Crewe Alexandra technical director Dario Gradi says he does not expect striker Nicky Maynard to leave the club before the start of the new season.

"No one has approached us for Nicky and I doubt whether they will," Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke.

"But, if the right deal came along that was good for us and good for Nicky, then obviously we would do it."

Maynard, who scored 15 goals for the Alex last season, has been linked with a move to Middlesbrough.

The 21-year-old spent much of last season on the sidelines after breaking his leg on the opening day. And Gradi says it will be good to have him fully fit for the new campaign.

"Having Nicky back will be a boost," said Gradi. "We were always short of a striker and having Nick out injured meant we were two short.

"We need to improve the player we have partnering Nicky.

"We'll probably see more of Shaun Miller this year.

"That doesn't mean to say Tom Pope won't get a look-in but he will have to do significantly better than he did last year."