Teenage talent needs experience

England youth international goalkeeper Ben Garratt is to be allowed out on loan for some valuable experience this season - but only if both Steve Phillips and Alan Martin remain at Gresty Road.

Garratt, 18, is yet to make his first-team bow for Alex and manager Steve Davis is keen to see him properly tested at senior level. However, he will only be in a position to do that if current shot-stoppers Phillips and Martin commit their immediate futures to the club.

"We would like to loan Ben out because he needs experience in senior football," Davis explained to This is Stafffordshire. "We hope he is going to be a top keeper, but at the moment he has only been playing in youth football and needs game time in men's football."

He added: "It will change though if Alan doesn't stay because we will need Ben to step up straightaway to be our number two, but we hope Alan will stay."

Former Bristol Rovers custodian Phillips is set to re-sign next week after also being offered a coaching role, while ex-Scottish Under-21 international Martin has been invited back to pre-season training.

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