DAVE Artell says there are no guarantees that Crewe can seal a deal for former midfielder Luke Murphy.

Murphy, 30, has been training with the club this summer after leaving Bolton and featured against his old club in a behind-closed-doors warm-up at the University of Bolton Stadium last Friday, which Crewe won 3-0.

Boss Artell says the club are trying to resign the homegrown player, who captained the club when they won the Johnstone's Paints Trophy in 2103.

He would be a popular addition to the engine room which needs reinforcing after veteran Paul Green was let go, but boss Artell stresses it was his friendship with Murphy which was initially behind his return to the Alex fold during pre-season.

The manager explained: "I played with Luke when I was here as a player and he is a brilliant fellow. I offered him somewhere to train as he knows the club like the back of his hand.

"On Friday he was going back to his former club, so I told him "go out there and stick one on over them", that's the conversation we had.

"He's not our player at the minute, but we will try although there is no guarantee on that score."

Murphy left in the summer of 2013, securing a £1m move to Leeds. He has a fine pedigree of Championship football and could be a major acquisition as Crewe look to adapt to the higher level.

He enjoyed three years in the second tier with the Elland Road giants, before loan stints at Burton, who were also in the Championship at the time.

The Alsager-raised footballer made over 40 appearances in a two-year stay with Bolton (2018-2020).

Artell has revealed several injury concerns ahead of the season's opener, a Caraboa Cup first round visit from Lincoln City on Saturday (September 5), but stresses they are "niggles".

New frontline signing Mikael Mandron didn't play at Bolton and has been administered an injection, while Tommy Lowery and defender Olly Lancashire are also under the treatment team.

Artell assured: "You are going to get some niggles at this stage, but it is nothing disastrous."

Meanwhile, Dave Richards has been handed an opportunity to wrestle the No.1 jersey off Will Jaaskelainen who has been called up by the Finnish under-21 side. Last season's first choice will be missing for the Lincoln game and the EFL Trophy trip to Bolton next Tuesday.

But Artell says Richards, 26, who last started against Everton under-21s in the EFL Trophy on November 5 last year, is ready to step in.

"Dave got a new contract three months ago and it was fully deserved. He is closer to Will than some people think - he has become a better goalkeeper year on year," said the manager.

"He is going to get first dibs this weekend and against Bolton."