David Artell says that contract talks with those players heading out of contract this summer are still on-going and that he hopes to have ‘positive news’ soon. Crewe Alexandra will still be entitled to compensation if those players under the age of 24 do not agree fresh terms this summer, but the Alex boss is doing everything in his power to convince them to remain with us.

The Crewe boss is in constant dialogue with player agents and representatives and he admits that it is now time for everyone to be honest about the situation.

David explained to crewealex.net: “The talks are an on-going process. We talk to the players and their agents as regularly as we can. We have an action plan in place because we need to know what we are doing in terms of recruitment.

“We hope to have positive news on that and once we do, the fans will be the first to know. We need to know where we are and all we can do is be as honest as we can be. I would like to think that I am very honest and I’ve already spoken to one agent and asked him to be frank with me.

“I just said to him that if he didn’t think his player would want to here after this season, then don’t pull my chain. Be honest. To be fair he was absolutely brilliant with that and progress was made. That is fine and the way I want it.

“I am sure we will speak again and we are always looking ahead because we have to think about next season.”