Planning for the January Transfer Window is already under way at Crewe Alexandra.

That’s according to boss Lee Bell, who says he wants to make changes to his squad next month.

Josh Kennard, Head of Recruitment, and the rest of the club’s football management staff are working on targets and crunching numbers in readiness for the New Year.

Bell said: “We are working hard behind the scenes to put things in place for when the window opens.  

“We have a meeting in the next week to finalise where we are going. It’s difficult in this window.

“We won’t be going out and spending money to buy players, and we might have to do some work in the building to be able to get players in.

“A striking option will be on the list. We’d want someone who has played in the league but that might not happen, and we might have to go for a younger player.

“We need to have competition for places. Players need to know their place is under threat, and that’s what we will try to get in the January window.”

Bell said talks are also already underway regarding the futures of Lachlan Brook, Eli King, and Khanya Leshabela, whose loans will expire in January.

He added: “We are making plans for all scenarios, we are discussing things with the players and their clubs, and we are making plans. We are hopeful it will develop quickly and decisions made.”