Crewe Alexandra's Technical Director Dario Gradi remains optimistic that the club will still land their number one transfer target. After withdrawing our interest in the Leeds United striker Anthony Elding yesterday, Dario has revealed that the club are firmly focussed on trying to secure a work permit for the Tranmere Rovers striker Calvin Zola.

Dario has told the club's official web site that the former Newcastle United youngster is keen to join Crewe Alexandra - but that we have to reapply for a work permit. That will be decided by a hearing in the next fortnight.

Dario told crewealex.net: "The Anthony Elding discussions became complicated and after agreeing a fee with Leeds and being able to meet his personal terms we were optimistic of him signing. I was impressed with him and he was very complimentary about us when we met with him and his agent, who just happened to be Lee Matthews.

"After we had sorted a way of doing the deal, I rang him back and thought we would be delighted but he was less than enthusiastic. That was the last we heard from his and his party and he has come out and said he wants to stay at Leeds and fight for his place.

"It looked promising but it became difficult to do, because he wasn't as keen as I thought we was.

"Our number one target is Calvin Zola and that has always been the case. We feel he is the big one that will make a difference to us. We hope that will be resolved in the next fortnight when we will be asked to attend a hearing over his work permit application.