DAVE Artell paid tribute to Perry Ng as he confirmed the Crewe skipper is poised to join Cardiff City.

Ng was at the Cardiff City Stadium today undergoing a medical with a view to finalising a transfer window move, which the Crewe boss described as a "good deal for everyone".

The Championship outfit had an initial offer for the 24-year-old defender turned down a week ago, but after some wrangling behind the scenes, which included the involvement of a third party agent, the move is on.

Artell confirmed: "I believe Perry is in Cardiff having a medical today. The two clubs have amicably agreed a good deal for everyone.

"I'm delighted for Perry and I wish him the best of luck. That's what this football club does and we're all delighted for him."

While he made his debut for Crewe under Steve Davis' management in the 2015/16 campaign, the Liverpool-born defender's involvement with the club goes back to when he joined the club's Academy at the age of six.

It was under Artell that Ng established himself, going on to make 183 appearances and coveting the right-back berth with gritty defensive displays allied to attacking ability. While his versatility has seen him play in his favoured centre-half spot and occasionally in midfield.

He had already worn the captain's armband before he took the role permanently after the departure of George Ray to Tranmere in 2019, demonstrating his character and leadership qualities.

Artell recalled: "He'd played a handful of games under Steve and I'm not sure that he was that highly thought of. But you can't waste talent like that.

"He's had to work hard at it. He was never a gold medallist, he was a silver medallist, but a very good silver medallist all the way through.

"But coupled with that he's had a fantastic attitude and a desire to improve. I'd have no qualms about him playing in the Championship next week."

After having their initial offer rejected - it was labelled as 'disgusting' by Artell - Cardiff have returned with an improved bid with boss Neil Harris anxious to fill his problematic right-back spot.

The Welsh club were understood to also have pursued a loan deal for Aston Villa fullback Frederic Guilbert, but they upped their efforts to sign Ng on a permanent basis over the weekend.

The transfer package will be well received at Gresty Road. Crewe would have lost out with no cash compensation due had Ng left this summer when his previous three-year contract was due to expire, as by then he will be 25.

With the emergence of Travis Johnson and the potential of deploying Luke Offord or Donervon Daniels, when fit again, on the right side of defence, Artell says a replacement may not be an immediate priority.

"I realised a long time ago that Perry wasn't going to be here next season and the best thing we can do is develop our own behind him.

"Travis has done ever so well when he's had a chance. He is still finding his feet, so he will have a chance to improve as he gets more games. I see it as a real positive all round.

"We've got Travis and then we get Donervon back in a month's time, and Luke is there as a stop gap. Is it a priority [a replacement right-back] ? Yes and no, but the work we've done with Travis and the work he has done has meant he has developed at a fast rate and if he keeps going he will reap the rewards in one, two or three year's time."

Meanwhile, Crewe will look to extend their unbeaten run to nine games when Bristol Rovers visit Gresty Road tomorrow night (Tuesday, K.O 7pm). Despite the impressive run Artell said: "There won't be many teams doing that, but we can't be saying 'a draw will be okay because it won't'.

"We've got to make sure we're not settling for an unbeaten run and that we win the games and score goals."