DAVE Artell says he full expects Crewe's summer recruits to more than adequately replace the stream of departed players.

The exits of Charlie Kirk, Owen Dale, Harry Pickering and Ryan Wintle have been hardfelt and the Crewe boss has watched his new-look side struggle to gel in the opening two months of the season.

After an injury-hit start to his Alex career, Chris Long made his first start in League One in Tuesday night's defeat against Sunderland (0-4). While J'Neil Bennett and Scott Kashket, brought in to fill the gaps left by Kirk and Dale on the flanks, have yet to strike a consistent run.

Artel's squad rebuild was also hit when signings Tommy Hoban and Shaun MacDonald announced their retirements from football, forcing him into the market for further replacements in the shape of Terell Thomas and Madger Gomes.

Of all the incoming it is arguably Celtic loan youngster Scott Robertson that has most impressed.

But the Crewe boss is confident that all of his new recruits will more than demonstrate their value eventually and help guide the club out of the bottom four.

"There's no doubt we've lost some good players, but that is not to say we've not replaced them with some good players. They may not be at a level of the players that we've lost but they're going to get there and they might even surpass them," said Artell.

"We've got to help them get there and get there quite quickly to help us as a team and as a football club. We know we've got good players and we've got to make sure they produce it.

"I think the first 20 minutes against Sunderland the lads were fine and very good in fact. So we've got to make sure that we do that over 90 minutes and we are still striving for a 90-minute performance.

Artell added: "We need to improve in a few areas and that is what we are trying to do. And when we do we'll be a better team for it and I'm sure we will win games of football."

Crewe's treatment room has no further additions to it ahead of Saturday's trip to third-placed Wycombe (K.O 3pm).

Callum Ainley and Manchester City loanee Ben Knight remain sidelined, but Knight is due to start running sessions next week.