Gaffer says no one will be leaving on the cheap in the January transfer window.

David Artell says that he would like to improve his Crewe Alexandra squad during the January transfer window, but doing so is easier said than done with the resources and quality available. The Alex boss believes it would be difficult to find better than what he already has at his disposal with what the club can offer financially compared to other League One clubs.

The Alex boss is also adamant that he will not sell any of his assets in the window unless the right offer comes in for the club and player involved. Artell is not actively looking for anyone to leave over the next weeks, although the peripheral squad member, Offrande Zanzala, has been allowed to leave by mutual consent after finding it difficult to break into the team.

Zanzala, a summer signing from Accrington, made 10 appearances but found himself behind Mikael Mandron and Chris Porter in Artell’s attacking plans.

The Crewe Alexandra boss said that he is not under any financial pressure to off load anymore this January:  “The first thing to say is, we don’t have to sell. That is the first thing, ‘said David.

“And the club won’t, unless it is an offer that we feel is right for everyone involved.

“In terms of any incomings, we have to make sure that we improve the squad and improve the team.

“Is that easy? It is never easy. It is not easy to find players better than what we already have here. Can we go and find better than Harry Pickering, Ryan Wintle or Omar Beckles? I doubt it with the resources we have.

“Well the resources do make it more difficult of course. Again that is not me getting my violin out - that has always been the case here at Crewe. I knew that when I took the job.

The boss added: “So, we have to make sure we spend wisely and we will see where we get to. It is a chance to improve in terms of personnel and is one that we will be looking to do.”