TOMMY Lowery has been left out of Crewe's first-team plans again after talks with the midfielder's agent stalled.

Lowery started his first game of the season in last Tuesday's Papa John's Trophy win at Shrewsbury, but Alex boss Dave Artell says he will not feature in Saturday's League One visit to Salop.

Artell admits he has grown frustrated with the agent's conduct, who he accuses of "not wanting" Lowery to sign fresh terms at the Mornflake Stadium.

"The ball is in Tom's court as I've done my bit," said Artell. "I tried phoning his agent four times and I had one call back. I've done more than enough on my part, I have been trying to get hold of him (the agent) for the best part of a month.

"The agent doesn't want Tom to sign a contract, Tom does. They need to sort themselves out, I've been trying for five months now."

Artell does not want Lowery to run down his current deal to next summer when he will be 24 and available on a free transfer.

Faced with the unpredictability of the Lowery contract situation, which has been compounded by the surprise retirement of veteran midfielder Shaun MacDonald, Crewe announced the signing of former Doncaster Rovers midfielder Madger Gomes at the weekend.

The one-time Villarreal youngster has signed a two-year deal with the club.

Artell admits he was "shocked" by MacDonald's decision to quit the game. Crewe have also seen another of their summer recruits, defender Tommie Hoban previously leave the club after also announcing his retirement.

The Alex boss says he understands MacDonald's reasons which centre around wanting to be closer to his extended family in Swansea to help support a new arrival in his immediate family.

"Of course it was a surprise. I think he signed on his 34th birthday and two or three days later he had his second child and him and his wife being away from family found it slightly difficult. So they've decided to go back to Swansea. I think he was genuine and sincere.

"We had a good long chat about it and his mind was made up and I thought he was making the right decision for himself and his family.

"It's a shock as he'd signed a contract six to eight weeks before, but these things happen and that's life. He goes with my best wishes as he is a good guy."

Artell admits recent weeks have provided the toughest challenges of his managerial career with Owen Dale's switch to Blackpool adding to his headache.

Dale's loan move to Bloomfield Road which stretches to January - when the Tangerines expect to make the move permanent - has not endeared the attacker to Alex fans.

Ahead of last Tuesday's deadline Crewe signed speedy Tottenham teenager J'Neil Bennett on loan, also until January, and the 19-year-old will offer an alternative to Dale out wide.

Gomes is versatile enough to play a wing role too, but along with on-loan Celtic youngster Scott Robertson the 24-year-old will be expected to fill the gaps left in the middle of the park by MacDonald's departure and Lowery's exile.

Artell said: "Madger was in our thoughts for a while and we'd been speaking to him over the summer. It was an easy one to conclude in the end, except that he was in Spain. When Shaun decided what he was doing it was quite easy to get it over the line; he's got a good agent which helps.

And the manager added: "The last month has been the toughest of my whole managerial career - it's been incessant really.

"When you go on courses they talk about the first 60 days and everything that is going to hit you. [When I took over] it was quite clear what the issue was. But then when you come to the last month and you've got 36,000 problems you feel you are being pelted with a paintball gun.

"You try your best to navigate through it and it is really tough, but it's not a complaint. There were some things that went on that were ridiculous, but that is life. I'd find it tougher working on a production line in a factory.

"It's been a very difficult summer, but I think we've navigated it the best we can in the circumstances."

New signing Gomes spent time at Liverpool and Leeds as a youngster after coming through Villarreal's academy system. He made 42 appearances for Donny during a two-season stint before he left the Keepmoat Stadium this summer.

He said: "I am excited to be here, I want to play and do my best. I like the way Crewe play football and I've played against them a few times.

"I like to play football, I like to go to box-to-box and I give 100 per cent in every game. I hope to take my chance and show the gaffer that I want to play every week."