Dave Artell says agents holding out for summer talks over contracts.

David Artell is aiming to convince Jon Guthrie and Ben Garratt that it is better for them to tie up their futures now rather than wait until the summer when they go out of contract. Artell believes that the two players wish to remain with the club beyond their current deals, but that their agents are advising them to keep their options open.

David told crewealex.net: “I’ve spoken to both their agents. Both of them believe they are better waiting until the end of the season. That’s silly, and I’ve told both the agents that and both players that.

"We’d let them go anyway if we got a suitable offer and both players definitely do know that, especially in Ben’s case because he can’t go anywhere anyway. He’s just throwing money away.

"His agent said he wanted him to sit in front of other managers and see other training grounds (in the summer), and thinks that will improve his chances of a move by 5%. I said ‘not if we don’t agree to a transfer fee’.

"So we agreed to disagree. Will I keep working on it? Yes, because I want them both here. I think they are both good players.

"Ben was terrific on Saturday. He was back to his best and if he does that for another 20 games he’ll be going regardless.

"That’s where we are with them, it’s something we have to keep working at and try to come to a resolution.

He added: "I think both players want to stay, but we have to try to make sure – as in modern football – their agents do the right thing for their clients. They should stay here and keep developing."