Steve Davis ponders loan moves after losing his skipper on deadline day to Aston Villa

Steve Davis will step up his search to bring in a replacement for Ashley Westwood after the club captain joined Premier League side Aston Villa on deadline day. Westwood’s move to Villa Park has left Davis light in midfield especially if we were to lose either Luke Murphy or Abdul Osman to injury or suspension. Murphy took the armband for the first time on Saturday and helped Crewe to a superb 1-0 win over Coventry City.

Davis has a couple of potential names in the frame with a midfielder and a possible forward top of the priority. The Alex boss would like to find a short-term replacement for the injured Mathias Pogba, who looks set to be out for a few weeks with a knee injury.

Davis told the club’s official web-site: “With Westy going on deadline day, we need another midfield player and we have one or two targets in mind there. That is the nature of deadline day, you can lose one late and it can be difficult to bring one in.

“It wasn’t a major emergency because we didn’t want to bring one in on a permanent deal. We prefer to watch them first and see what we are getting.

“With a loan signing, it bides you some time and that is what we will do.

Steve added: “Pogs is out with a knee injury, and although we have forwards, we don’t have another one of his type. We would like to have that option, one who can offer us that strength and power.”

Football League clubs can sign players on emergency loan as of Friday, 7 September.