Crewe Alexandra's new signing Lewis Short is targeting a first team place as soon as possible. The 20-year penned a 12-month contract yesterday after impressing on trial and now the left-footer is focussing on breaking into the Dario Gradi's first-team plans.

Short is the latest trialist to have earned himself a deal along with Adam Dugdale, Danny Blanchett and Ben Fogler.

On signing his new 12-month deal, Lewis told Crewe Alex Player: I'm very happy considering I was nearly here on trial for three months so its good to know that the trial and my hard work has paid off.

"It was what I was looking for, there were times it though it wasn't going to happen but I stuck to it and its happened. I can a bit more relaxed now - not too much though, I want to kick on again.

"I just want to push on and break into the first team as quick as I can.

The youngster added: "Its just about getting used to the step up again, but its something that I feel I can do, with more training and coaching."