Tony Crane

Taylor explains Crane absence

Boston United manager Tommy Taylor has explained his decision to keep Tony Crane sitting on the bench with further doubts raised over his future at the club.

One of United's better performers since the New Year, Crane has been a rock at the back whilst chipping in at the other end with some vital goals since joining the club on a free transfer in the summer.

However that has held little weight with Taylor who is refusing to play the former Sheffield Wednesday man until he decides to turn up for training.

"The reason Craney's not been playing is because he hasn't been training," Taylor told the Boston Standard.

"If you don't make training how can I play you? It wouldn't be fair on lads like (Matt) Bloomer and (Simon) Weaver if they made the effort to come training and didn't get picked because I chose to play Craney.

"If he wants to play he should train."

Crane has already fallen foul of Taylor's wrath before this season, first for failing to control his weight and fitness and secondly for turning out in goal for a Sunday League side whilst back in his hometown Sheffield.

With the player out of contract in the summer and Taylor under orders to shake up the squad and trim the wage bill for the new season, Crane looks a likely candidate to be out of the door.