Crewe Alexandra manager, David Artell, says that processes are in place ahead of the January transfer window. The Alex boss admits that doesn’t necessarily mean that any concrete new signings are in place, but ‘the cogs are turning’.

Artell told the club’s official website: “We will look at all things and there are processes in place for January. That doesn’t mean that signings are in place but the cogs are turning.

“We will go over the core issues and discuss what we would like to do, to look to improve but we also have the incessant nature of the games to content with heading into Christmas and New Year. There are a lot of games in a short space of time to get through too.

“Can we offer the best wages in the League? Nowhere near! Can we offer the average for the league? No we can’t. What we can offer is the value in playing and the chance to improve.

He added: “We have things to sort out. We have three, four, five outstanding players to sort out contracts. That is always in my diary and things we have to constantly deal with as a club.”