Steve Davis says patience the key to landing the right left-footer.

Steve Davis has reiterated that he will not be rushed into signing a new left back because he wants the right one to fit the needs of the team. The Alex boss has two or three options but won’t rush into a deal until he feels he is adding the right player to his team.

Steve Davis has stressed that he is searching for a left-back who can ‘hit the ground running at this level’ and he won’t gamble on what he considers to be a key position going forward.

Crewe are currently playing the versatile Jon Guthrie in the left-back role and although his preferred position is at centre-back, his performance at full-back at the weekend saw him named as the sponsors' Man-of-the-Match.

The Alex boss is after a more attack-minded full-back and says he will wait for the right one, who has the necessary attributes, character and experience to go into the starting XI.

Davis told the club’s official web-site: “It has been very difficult trying to find the left-back we need and want. We do have some options and it is up to me to find that one but I will take my time with that. I don’t want to take a gamble and rush into things.

“It is an important position and I want one who has some experience of playing in the League. We have been presented with some options but some of them are not at that stage of their development.

“I want the right one in who is going to make us a better team. At the moment we are playing Jon there. He has done well for us but it is unfair to judge him in that position because that is not his natural position.”