Crewe Alexandra’s assistant manager, Kenny Lunt, says that the staff will continue to seek to purchase players on a permanent basis this summer but he has not ruled out signing loan players as we approach the big kick off in August.

The football club have already signed Olly Lancashire and Daniel Powell to strength the squad and Lunt is hopeful that more will follow to make us genuine contenders for a promotion push next season.

Kenny told crewealex.net: “Firstly we are looking for permanent signings and we have been pleased with the business we have been able to do already. It is always good to get players in as early as possible, so they can settle in quickly when we return to training on a full-time basis at the end of the month.

“We would like our own players but the loan market is one we cannot ignore. There will be players out there who may become surplus to requirements at the end of July or the bigger clubs want their younger players to go out and play games.

The club’s assistant added: “That happened to us last season when we were able to bring in Corey (Whelan) and Kevin (O’Connor) in on loan. That helped with the numbers and cover in the full-back positions. That helped us and in January, Aaron (Taylor-Sinclair) came in and did a good job at left-back when Pixie was injured.

"It is something you have to consider."