Ryan Lowe: Striker's return to Crewe Alexandra hailed as a 'coup'

Ryan Lowe made his senior debut for Shrewsbury Town in August 2000 and has scored 178 goals in 588 league appearances

Crewe Alexandra have pulled off a "coup" by re-signing veteran striker Ryan Lowe for life back in League Two, says assistant boss James Collins.

Lowe, who will be 38 in September, is an Alex player for the third time in his career after joining from Bury.

"Lowey's a terrific signing," Collins told BBC Radio Stoke.

"When players get to a certain age you never know how the fitness is going to go, but the boy really looks after himself and fitness won't be a worry."

Lowe first joined Crewe in 2006, scoring 17 goals in 74 appearances, and returned to Gresty Road on loan last November.

Collins is sure his presence around the squad will have a positive effect on everyone.

"When he was here on loan he was a bit of an inspiration to some of the lads," he said.

"He showed them you can be a character and a bit of a lad, but you do the work and look after yourself you get the rewards.

"He ticks a hell of a lot of boxes and when you think how tough recruitment is, it's a real coup to get Ryan Lowe."

Goals not just Lowe's responsibility

Only Blackpool scored fewer than Crewe's 46 goals as both sides were relegated from League One last season.

If the Alex are to mount a promotion challenge, Collins is adamant other members of the squad, not just the likes of strikers Callum Saunders and Daniel Udoh, must start contributing more goals.

"They've all got to chip in, we can't rely on Lowey to get 30 or 40 goals next season," Collins said.

"So the midfield have got to get more, which they didn't particularly do last season.

"The three young lads that will come in - George Cooper, Callum Ainley and Charlie Kirk - are all terrific footballers, but need need to add goals to their game."