Ashley Westwood started the season with non-league Kettering

Defender Ashley Westwood has revealed he never gave up hope of another chance with Crewe Alexandra, the club where he made his name as a young player.

The 34-year-old rejoined the Alex on 4 March and made his first start for the club since April 1998 in the 0-0 draw against Accrington on Tuesday.

"I've always tried to give [manager] Dario Gradi a ring and try and come back," Westwood told BBC Radio Stoke.

"Thankfully it's worked out well but I'm not counting my chickens yet."

Westwood, who will remain at Crewe until the end of the season, continued: "At the moment it's only a short-term thing, I've still got a lot to do."

He has spent much of the last three years playing in non-league football for Wrexham and Kettering.

Gradi was impressed with Westwood's performance against Accrington and confirmed he would start at Hereford on Sunday.

"I didn't think he put a foot wrong, he's obviously improved with age," Gradi said.

"I wanted to give him a go, he was very keen to come and he was prepared to play for nothing.

"He's not playing for nothing, we're paying him but he's in on merit and will definitely be selected for the team at the weekend."

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