Fan abuse clouds Tootle vision

Crewe captain Matt Tootle says he has been hurt by suggestions he is refusing to sign a new deal with the League One club.

The 24-year-old defender, whose contract expires this summer, has not played for the Alex since late October because of illness and then an ankle injury, with many supporters upset he has been absent for a hectic period as the club fights to stay above the bottom four. However, Tootle refuted allegations that his future has played a part in his time away from the first-team picture and admits the whole ordeal has left him questioning whether he wants to remain at Gresty Road beyond this season. "I've had a long list of bad luck and it has escalated to a few things being said," he told a press conference. "I can only put it out there that I have had a serious illness and I've had a lot of work to do to come back from that. I lost a lot of weight and I've had more bad luck since then with a few injuries. "To be honest, my family would tell you, it's absolutely killed me because of what I think I have done for this club and what I've been through with the fans. "I have played for this club longer than some of them have even supported Crewe; I've been here for 15 years. "Crewe is all I know and I've never refused contract talks, I haven't been told I've been offered one and that's out of my hands. "It has made me realise maybe, if the option did arise for me to stay at Crewe, which could happen I'd like to think, it has put doubt in my mind whether I'm wanted by the fans. "It has hurt because of the loyalty I've shown to Crewe, I have always wanted to sign contracts; I've always signed on the same day I've been offered deals because of how much I want to be here."