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Chris McCready is in "pole position" to partner Steve Foster in central defence next season. The injury-prone defender made 23 appearances last season and showed that he would be a capable candidate to partner Foz. Boss Dario Gradi revealed how key these games were in the club's decision to offer him a new deal, "Maybe if he hadn't played as many games as he did last season and showed that he can more than handle himself at this level, then he could have been looking for another club."
Gradi went on to declare that neither Steve Foster nor Chris McCready are likely to be ready for the beginning of pre-season games but should be fit for the start of the season. Despite this, Dario praised the duo for their incredible hard work: "No-one has worked harder than Chris McCready this summer. In fact I would say that there is not a footballer in the country who has worked harder than him or Steve Foster."
McCready's injury in the latter stages of last season paved the way for the club to sign Colin Murdock although it now appears that the Northern Ireland international will leave us after just 5 months with the club. If Murdock does leave, the club would be left with a shortage of centre-halves as Adie Moses is yet to put pen to paper and Billy Jones is being moved into midfield. Despite the academy defenders performing admirably when relied upon this season, many feel that at least one more centre half is required although it appears that Dario will only considering loaning or buying a defender if Adie Moses and Colin Murdock definately leave.