Chester City FC: Hands off Ryan Lowe

Dec 19 2008 By David Triggs

RYAN Lowe will be a wanted man once the January transfer window opens – but Chester City are determined to keep hold of their leading scorer.

Blues owner Stephen Vaughan revealed yesterday that two unnamed League One clubs had made enquiries about Lowe, while Crewe Alexandra are also rumoured to be lining up a raid for the 30-year-old hotshot in the January transfer window.

City boss Mark Wright is not surprised Lowe’s performances this season have alerted other teams – but he has no intention of letting him leave.

"If you’re asking me would I want to let him go, then it’s a ‘no’," said Wright when told of Crewe’s reported interest in the player yesterday.

"We want him to be here because he’s been influential. Since I’ve been here, he’s done very, very well. I would not be looking to do anything about Ryan Lowe, letting him go from this place. You want to keep your best players rather than let them go."

Wright and Lowe famously fell out back in 2006 when the Chester manager was brought in for his second spell in charge. Lowe was freed from his City contract and signed for Crewe – but was brought back to the Deva Stadium this summer by Simon Davies.

Wright, who replaced the sacked Davies last month, yesterday insisted his differences with Lowe were in the past and he is enjoying working with the former Shrewsbury and Burscough forward.

"Everyone knows what happened last time I was here with Ryan and Michael (Branch)," said Wright. "I didn’t think it was right them being too influential around the place. I made my decision and off they went, and Ryan went on to better things. That was good for him.

"I’ve come back and he looks fitter and sharper. He’s at it, he’s hungry, he’s doing all the right things, making all the right noises, saying the right things and playing very, very well.

"Sure, if all those things are in place then why wouldn’t teams be interested in him? But if you’re asking me if anyone has approached me then, categorically, ‘no’."

Wright could only see Lowe leaving Chester if a club made a significant cash offer that the Blues simply could not turn down.

The City manager added: "That would be down to the chairman. In my opinion, I’d say no – keep him. If you want to build for the future, keep him around us."

Blues owner Vaughan is ready to resist any advances for Liverpool- born Lowe, who has hit nine goals this season and has two-and-a-half years remaining on his contract.

Vaughan said: "We have had two enquiries from League One clubs about Ryan’s availability, but I can assure you that Crewe were not one of those clubs.

"I can re-confirm that the players Mark Wright wants to keep here will not be moving and Ryan Lowe is one of the players that Mark sees as part of the future of Chester City Football Club."