Steve Phillips could leave Crewe for free in summer
Goalkeeper Phillips has played over 400 matches in the Football League
Goalkeeper Steve Phillips could be set to leave Crewe Alexandra on a free transfer in the summer because of a clause in his contract.
The 32-year-old signed a two-year deal with the Alex in June but has yet to play a first-team game this season.
"His contract situation is strange," manager Dario Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke. "I'm not 100% sure what it is, the chairman sorted the minor details.
"But I think technically he's free to go at the end of the season."
Phillips made 29 appearances in a loan spell at the Alexandra Stadium last season but was sidelined during pre-season after undergoing a shoulder operation.
Since returning to full fitness in September, he has been kept out of the side by the impressive form of Chelsea loanee Rhys Taylor.
But Gradi added he would be happy to see Phillips stay with the club, as he does not plan to re-sign Taylor beyond the end of the current campaign.
"I wouldn't want Rhys here next season," said Gradi. "I don't mean that in a nasty way but that's not what his career is about.
"He thinks this league is a hard league and he wants a season in this league, which was how the conversation went when I talked about him perhaps going during the transfer window to a Championship club.
"Equally, I got the impression he wouldn't be happy to stay here full stop, and apart from that I couldn't afford him. His wages are miles away from what we pay."
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