Lowe, 29, looks set to leave Gresty Road after being told that he will only be used as a squad player next season.

Lowe signed for the Railwaymen in 2006 from Chester and shone for Alex in his first season, scoring 12 goals in the process. That prompted the management team to offer him a two-year-deal which was duly signed.

But last season Lowe struggled with injury and failed to show the form from the season before and spent the end of the season on loan with play-off final winners, Stockport County.

Lowe has already spoken to Crewe first team coach, Steve Holland, and told him that he wants games, but with no assurances of this happening it seems the club could now be prepared for him to leave for nothing and that could spark two of his previous clubs - Chester City and Shrewsbury Town - wanting to sign him.

Holland said: "I've spoken to Ryan and he made it clear he wants to play at this stage of his career rather than sit on the bench. I wasn't able to assure him of a first-team place, particularly if we land some of our targets.

"Ryan rang me and made it clear he is keen to play at this stage of his career rather than be on the bench. He put that over in a very professional way – he's not complaining.

"It has been left that he is considering what I said and the ball is in his court. I'm not looking to push him out – I'm happy for him to be here. But the decision is down to him."

Frustrated at making fewer than 20 starts last term, Lowe left for a loan spell at Stockport County in March in search of games.

He made just four starts for the Hatters, but there will be a host of League Two clubs interested in the former Chester and Shrewsbury favourite, who, speaking before his switch to Edgeley Park, said: "I have to get games somewhere. I have to look at my future."

Liverpool-born Lowe, who scored 17 goals in 42 appearances for Chester during the 2005-06 season, started his career at Burscough and then joined Shrewsbury where he scored 37 goals in 194 appearances between 2000 and 2005.

* Chester City supporters have up to and including Monday to save £125 on the price of a season ticket for next season and secure their existing seat at the Deva Stadium for the 2008-2009 League Two campaign.

As the Deva Stadium ticket office will be closed tomorrow, this special offer has been extended and will continue to be on offer on Monday,
June 2, between 10am and 4pm.