08/05/2008 - Keeper Tommo to be given another chance to shine
by GWYN GRIFFITHS
Crewe will give injury-hit Stuart Tomlinson the chance to prove his fitness next season, even though the keeper's contract is about to expire.
The 22-year-old is recovering from the knee surgery he underwent after being injured in his one and only game on loan at Blue Square Premier side Burton Albion.
While Chester-born Tomlinson has made only 11 starts in five seasons since coming through the ranks, the potential departures of Ben Williams and Owain Fon Williams could yet throw him a lifeline.
Tomlinson will not be ready to return by August, but Steve Holland has assured him his future will only be decided when he gets back in action.
That is likely to mean the keeper being retained, initially, on a short-term deal.
Holland said: "Stuart is recuperating as normal after cruciate ligament surgery.
"While he's not going to be fit for the start of the season, he shouldn't be too long after that.
"He is out of contract, but we look after our players and he will get the opportunity to get 100 per cent fit and see whether he can stake a claim for a place."
Meanwhile, Holland will wait until after Stockport's League Two play-off campaign is over to talk to Ryan Lowe about his future.
The striker has played four times since joining on loan and County, who meet Wycombe on Sunday in their first-leg clash, could look to seal a permanent deal.
Holland revealed: "Ryan is one I'll talk to in the summer when he returns from Stockport.
"He's got the play-offs to complete, but he is one I need to speak to."
The coach will almost certainly part company with midfielder Eugen Bopp, however, possibly by coming to a settlement on the final two years of his contract.
He said: "We're both clear where we are. Eugen's had trial opportunities and there is another possibility with him going to Cyprus to play.
"If nothing materialises there we'll have to look at things and what he thinks is best to do."