David Artell admits that contract talks with other members of his squad have not progressed as quickly as he would have liked - but he remains hopeful that he can convince them to remain at Crewe beyond this summer.

Artell stated that after the closure of the transfer window, he would switch his intentions back to his out-of-contract players and only last week, defender Eddie Nolan committed his own future to the club by signing a new two-year deal. He follows the likes of Perry Ng, Callum Ainley, James Jones, Charlie Kirk, Chris Porter, Tom Lowery and Lewis Reilly who have all signed new deals over the last 12 months.

The Crewe boss will now step up his talks with Ben Garratt, Paul Green, Jordan Bowery and George Ray, all of whom are out of contract this summer and could leave on free transfers.

David told crewealex: “I’ve spoken to George, he’s been honest and candid. Have things progressed? No.

“He’s been honest, that’s all I ask, and I think ‘fair enough’. I admire him for it.

“I spoke to Jordan and his agent before Christmas, that got put on the back-burner at their insistence and I haven’t picked the reins up on that again.

“I’ve spoken to Ben, things have progressed slightly. I think that will progress in the next weeks and months.

He added: “I’ve spoken to Greeny and his agent, that’s just a timing thing and it will be picked up by me shortly.”