Dario Gradi says he would like to love to add defensive and midfield cover to his squad but says getting the right players at affordable wages is not easy.

With the versatile Carl Martin struggling with injury this season, the Alex boss has used Danny Shelley at right-back and the newly signed Lewis Short at left-back during this week's reserve fixture against Stockport County.

The club's lack of midfield cover has also resulted in Dario and his staff assessing a host of summer trialists with Sam Stewart and Oliver Kelly currently here and trying to win a contract at the club.

England youngster Nick Powell has also been promoted to the first team squad and made his senior debut against Cheltenham Town on Saturday at the age of just 16 days and 144 days.

Dario told the club's official web-site: "I would like to add cover at full-back and for the midfield three because we are a bit short if there are any injuries.

"It isn't easy to find those players and the budget is tighter than previous seasons because we do have players here on fairly higher wages because they have come down from League One with us.

"We can afford it but I have to be careful with the wages. I am certainly not moaning about our budget because I would imagine it is higher than a lot of clubs at this level. It is certainly higher than Cheltenham's.

Dario added: "We have tried Danny Shelley as cover at right-back and Lewis played left-back on Tuesday. We would also like to try Mat Mitchel-King at full-back and in midfield but it is difficult because he would be the next one in at centre-half if we were to suffer an injury there."