MIDFIELD star Seth Johnson could have played his last game for Crewe after being lured by the prospect of Premiership football.

As The GUARDIAN went to press, Johnson was expected to join Europe-chasing Derby County for £3million before today's transfer deadline.

Speaking at a press conference on Tuesday Alex boss Dario Gradi admitted that Derby, who will need a quick replacement after selling Lee Carsley to Blackburn, had made an offer.

"They have made an inquiry about Seth but we haven't come to any agreement yet," he said.

"Obviously we will consider it if it's a good enough offer but we want to know what sort of money we are talking about."

Johnson, Crewe's outstanding player for most of the season, has also impressed the international selectors and has been called up to the England U21 squad to face Poland on Friday night.

"I don't think it's the right time for him to move on. I think he could do with staying here a bit longer and Seth is quite happy for the move not to happen," said Gradi.

"It's not a simple decision to turn down millions of pounds but we have always said that it would have to be a considerably good offer because it's at a time when we don't really need to sell him."

Whatever the outcome, Crewe must focus for another tough battle at Prenton Park tomorrow, Friday, to prevent a re-run of the farcical home tie when Tranmere scored four goals in the first 14 minutes.

"We didn't really have the right game plan for that game but we are defending a lot better now and it would be a good one to win because the three points could lift us out of the bottom three," said Gradi.

"We can do various things to replace Seth against Tranmere. We could play Mark Rivers or Kevin Street, or even bring Kenny Lunt back in. We have left him alone for a bit and let him play in the under 19s, and he has done alright."

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