Lunt on Billington deal and more possible arrivals

Crewe Alexandra's player development manager Kenny Lunt says Lewis Billington should be challenging himself to prove he is the "best right-back in the league" now he is staying at the club. The 22-year-old has extended his long association with the Alex by signing a new three-year contract, keeping him at the club until the end of the 2028-29 season. Billington was one of only two players to start every game in League Two last term, and only twice failed to play the full 90 minutes. Lunt said the defender's new deal was excellent news. "He plays every minute. He's done really well and he's another one who's come on miles, leaps and bounds, and if he keeps developing, hopefully he'll play a lot more for this football club and hopefully one day we can sell him on for quite a lot of money," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "He could add a goal or two from set-pieces, more assists, stopping more crosses, but he's doing ever so well." Lunt added that if Billington can do that, he will have "more options" over where his future career takes him. "The way he's going, the more clubs keep looking. He can't stand still, he knows that. He knows you need to keep on improving and he's got a lot of improving still to do. "He's obviously being consistent, but can he be consistently the best right-back in our league? - so he gets that move he's after one day." Lunt also gave an update on the club's search for more signings before the start of the season. With three new players already in - striker Jordan Gibson, centre-back Luke Offord and midfielder Joe White - Lunt said they are looking at strengthening more areas. "I think anyone can see with the number of centre-forwards last year, maybe we could have another striker option, another centre-half, maybe, and another left-back for some competition for Reece [Hutchinson]," he said. "Everything's close all the time, but everything's still a few miles away. We'd like to have more numbers in the squad and if we can get another few more bodies through the door, I'm sure it will be in a good place."