Steve Davis says he won't be rushed into replacing Scott Shearer

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis admits that he is close to bringing in another goalkeeper to offer cover and competition to Ben Garratt. The Alex boss has a gap to fill after allowing Scott Shearer to join League Two side Burton Albion on loan following the re-opening of the January transfer window.

 squad and the Crewe boss is adamant that he doesn’t want to waste ‘one of those places' on a reserve goalkeeper.  Davis has reiterated that he is not interested in taking another goalkeeper in on loan as he already has five players in his squad under that arrangement. Although the number of loans a club is allowed is unlimited, you are only allowed to have five named in your matchday

The Crewe boss has a short list of three or four possible targets, who are either on non-contracts or are currently unattached.

Steve Davis will either have to name Youth team goalkeeper Liam Matthews on his substitutes’ bench for the visit of Gillingham tomorrow or run the risk of having seven out-field players in his squad.

The Alex boss said: “I am very close on a possible goalkeeper. We have three or four possible options but it is an important gap to fill and I won’t rush into anything because I need a goalkeeper who understands the situation and needs to be patient.

“I want the right type of person with that character to offer that cover for Ben, but also be determined to push him as much as he can for his place. I want the right one and just won’t plunge into it.

“It will probably happen more next week now but it is important we get the right one in rather than rush into something.”