David Artell says he is not afraid to think out of the box when it comes to his recruitment plans. The Crewe Alexandra boss has made a concerted effort to add experienced players to the dressing room and he recently added the promising youngster Brad Walker to bolster his squad options. Walker can play in defence or as a defensive midfielder.

Artell says that he and his staff are continuously on the look-out for players who can improve the team and he hasn’t ruled them out regardless of age or nationality.

Artell told the club’s official web-site:  “We will always look inside the club for those young players that can make the step up into the first team but sometimes we have to go out and compliment them. I think it was important to get a better blend of experience and youth in the dressing room.

“The older ones will help our youngsters. They have been there and done that and they will help them on and off the pitch. We have brought in a few who know what it is about when the going gets tough and know how to manage the game better.

“We know we have a limited budget and I’m fine with that, so as the manager we have to think outside the box a bit. People were questioning the age of Ryan Lowe at 37 but the people at the club knew he was a good pro and a quality player.

“He was fit and had great experience of the lower leagues, so he ticked the boxes. If there are others out there who we think would improve us. “