HARRY Pickering has paid tribute to all the support he has received during his lengthy spell with Crewe Alex as he prepares to bid his farewell to Gresty Road.

This week Pickering spent time at new club, Blackburn, familiarising himself with his soon-to-be team mates and backroom staff.

A deal to sell the full-back to the Championship outfit was struck on the February 1 transfer deadline day, but a loan-back arrangement was agreed which has meant the 22-year-old has been able to take over the captain's armband from the departed Perry Ng in his remaining games.

Pickering - who made his bow for the Alex against Leyton Orient in League Two in April 2017 - said: "I owe everything to Crewe, not just the coaching side of it but off the pitch as well because they've been so helpful - it's just been a great place to be.

"I don't think I'll forget Crewe any time soon and I will be looking for their results and checking on how they are getting on.

"The loan-back was part of the deal [with Blackburn] and I didn't have any problems staying on as I wanted to achieve something this season. We've not done that but we've had some good performances and I've given 100 per cent in every game."

Pickering, who signed a four-and-a-half year contract at Ewood Park, was also tracked by Stoke and Sheffield Wednesday, who like Rovers were impressed with the Chester-born defender's versatility, which has seen him operate in midfield as well as the key role he has played at left-back across 167 appearances for the club.

The defender admits there will be poignancy as he leads Crewe out for the last time in the season finale with Shrewsbury on Sunday (K.O 12 midday).

"I am sure it will be a sad moment as I've been here so long," said the homegrown defender.

"We've had a good season and it makes me want to test myself against top-class players [at a higher level].

"You can see the talent in the group here and they will have a great chance to achieve something next season.

"Taking the armband has helped me on the organisation side of things and that is an area of my game that I can improve. But it has brought me a bit of extra responsibility on the pitch."

As well as Pickering, Crewe will be bidding farewell to several others whose contracts are set to expire in the summer, including stalwart midfielder Ryan Wintle, who appears ready to move on.

The contract situations of Omar Beckles, Chris Porter, Olly Lancashire, Travis Johnson, Dan Powell and Billy Sass-Davies remain unresolved, while Eddie Nolan, who has been on loan at Motherwell, is expected to leave.

Meanwhile, hopes are high that Callum Ainley will commit his future again to the club, while Padeborn loanee Antony Evans could be a permanent transfer target.

It is understood that some fans are planning a summer send-off for the squad with an impromptu socially-distanced presence outside Gresty Road at Sunday's game.

Alex assistant boss Kenny Lunt looked forward to next term when he said: "We want the players to play a couple of hundred games for Crewe and go on. That's our business model to move them along, sell them while along the way getting result and playing as well as we can.

"It's brilliant for Harry [Pickering] to get the move and good for the coaching and management team.

"There's a lot of lads coming through and that is how we are going to compete with other teams in this division."