Alex sign Morris

The 21-year-old, whose current contract expires next month, will be keen for an injury-free season next term after a stress fracture to his shin sidelined him for a large of this past campaign.

Despite his injury problems, Alex boss Dario Gradi (pictured) believes Morris has the potential to make an impact in his first team in the near future.

Morris will be joined by defender Chris McCready, who has also agreed a new one-year deal with The Railwaymen.

Meanwhile, Gradi has expressed his concern that his proposed loan move for Liverpool striker Neil Mellor has been called into question following the departure of Gerard Houllier as Reds boss.

Crewe seem ready to take the big hit-man on a season-long loan next term but, with Liverpool searching for a new manager, it is likely that the loan may not take place.

"Well it's a difficult situation because we don't know who the new manager will be or what his plans are," Gradi told the club's official website.

"He may well want to keep Neil to have a good look at him, whilst Neil may also want to stay to try and impress the new man.

"However I still believe that, at his age, a season in the First Division will do Neil a lot of good.

"But Gerard has gone and Rick Parry is away on holiday so we cannot progress that deal at the moment. We will have to wait and see what happens."