David Artell says that he will do everything in his power to protect the club’s main assets from running down their contracts. The Crewe Alexandra boss is determined to convince the likes of George Cooper, James Jones and Callum Ainley to follow the example of Tom Lowery and sign new deals with the club.

The Crewe boss says that he will introduce a strategy going forward to make sure that the club are not held to ransom by players or their agents.

Artell told crewealex.net: “I certainly don’t think that we are the only club that are suffering with players looking to run their contracts down.

“I know that Peterborough transfer-list their players if they have 12 months left on their contract and don’t sign. They put it out there that they are available for a price.

“I am sure Arsene Wenger and the big fish at Arsenal are not happy that Sanchez and Ozil are running their contracts down. They will have to write off a fortune but they can bridge that gap financially. We can’t. Peterborough can’t. We have to prevent it happening.

“We have to make sure that we protect our assets and get their true value. We cannot allow agents to use their contract situation as a weapon against the football club. We have to make sure that we dictate when our players leave.

“I know how hard it is to get a move and the strategy of the club won’t change. If a deal is right for the club and right for the player then they move.

“When that happens and it should then it puts the belief right through the Academy.”