Alex short of numbers at the heart of our defence could see us approach free agents.

The news that Crewe Alexandra have lost defender Billy Sass-Davies for the remainder of the season through injury has prompted David Artell to relook at the current crop of players who are free agents.

Crewe can now only sign those out-of-contract players following the closing of the January window.

Crewe are short in the centre-half position after allowing Donervon Daniels and Terrell Thomas depart the club in the window and then lost Zac Williams due to illness.

The untimely calf injury to Welshman, Sass-Davies leaves the Alex boss with few options in the heart of his defence.

Sass-Davies attended a scan on Friday evening to reveal the extent of his injury and a discovered blood clot in his calf muscle has ruled him for the remainder of the campaign.

Artell told the club’s official website: “We lost Billy on Friday evening.  He was due to play on Saturday and the scan revealed a DVT, so he is out for the rest of the season.

“Zac is thankfully on the road to recovery after his illness and we have spoken to four free agents, who have said thanks but no thanks.

“We have one training with us at the moment and we will have to see where we get to. He is looking at us and we are looking at him. There is a fitness issue there, so nothing is imminent there. “