David Artell says that he will step up his intention to get the players he wishes to keep beyond this season tied up on new deals. Now the January window has closed, Artell will switch some of his attention to further contract talks with those players entering the last few months of their contract.

The Crewe Alexandra boss successfully tied the likes of Callum Ainley, Charlie Kirk and James Jones to new deals last summer and he will be aiming to try and do the same with members of his first-team squad as we enter the last few months of this campaign.

David the club’s official website: “Speaking to out of contract players again will be part of our strategy for next season.

“I am sure we will resume talks with some of them in due course. There have been tentative talks with some and I have spoken to some of their agents.

“There is no pressure and there are still a number of months to go before they are free agents, but it is something we have planned.”