Gradi Hoping to Extend Williams Loan

The 21-year-old has already kept two clean sheets for the Cheshire-outfit, making a string of impressive saves in First Division games against Stoke City, Rotherham United and Cardiff City, as the Railwaymen edge closer to safety in their first season back in England's second flight after gaining automatic promotion last year.

Williams is set to return to Old Trafford after a months loan on April 17th, after Crewe face a difficult trip to promotion chasers Reading. However, Gradi will ask Williams whether he is interested in staying at Gresty Road until the end of the season, with a first-team appearance highly unlikely should he return to United before the end of the season.

"We' ll see whether Ben wants to stay longer here," said Gradi.

"He has looked excellent and I have been trying to ring United to tell them how well he's doing.

"He has absolutely no maintenance, he comes in and gets on with his job."

Gradi went on to discuss the possibility of keeping Williams at Crewe for a further season. The Crewe boss would certainly appear to entertain the idea of keeping the 'keeper with his club for a further season, and there doesn't seem a logical reason why Sir Alex Ferguson would refuse if United are allowed to re-call the player at any time, with the player seemingly developing nicely with the First Division outfit.

"I'm not looking to get him here as I wouldn't have thought United would be willing to let him go." added the charismatic Crewe boss.

"Whether we could continue to loan him next season would be worth considering, but I've not contemplated that as yet."

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