Dario Gradi has told the club's official web-site that he would like to bring in a full-back before the closure of the transfer window on Tuesday afternoon. Dario will step up his search for a right-back following the news that his first choice Matt Tootle is expected to miss the next few weeks after he suffered a hamstring strain in Tuesday's Carling Cup tie with Ipswich.

Tootle, 19, is expected to miss the next two weeks at the very least with the Crewe boss stating today that if he can call on the teenager again before the end of September that would be considered a bonus.

With Carl Martin also out for the foreseeable future after a problematic shin complaint, the door has been re-opened for utility man Mat Mitchel-King. He wil play at right-back at Lincoln tomorrow but the club will look for reinforcements before the first deadline.

Dario told the club's official web-site: "Matt (Tootle) is out for at least two weeks and if we can get him back before four weeks then I would consider that a result. We don't really have too much cover for the full-back positions, so we would like to go and get one if we can.

"We have are happy with our two full-backs but we will make some enquires to see if we can get another one in. That could be to buy or on loan. There are options but it is not easy to find someone willing to come on loan as cover.

He added: "The squad has strengthen in depth in some places but not in others and full-back is one. We won't get one in before the weekend, but we will have a look at it early next week."