DAVE Artell says he is confident Crewe will make their first signings of the transfer window this week.

The Alex boss says two deals, which appeared ready to be finalised last week, were held up and he remains cautious but optimistic that he can give his squad a much-needed makeover to give the club the best chance possible of avoiding the drop back to League Two.

Ahead of a tough February fixture list, Crewe finish this month with a visit from third-placed Rotherham on Saturday, so reinforcements would certainly offer a welcome boost and allow Artell more scope to prune the fringes of his squad, having allowed the out-of-favour Donvervon Daniels to join Walsall yesterday.

Artell said: "There were two [signings] to be in last week, but they were beyond control. I'll stop short saying they're 100 per cent because nothing is certain until they've signed on the dotted line.

"But there will be incomings this week without a shadow of doubt."

Defenders Terell Thomas and Callum McFadzean and midfielder Madger Gomes are among a number of players the manager has held discussions with. The trio have fallen out of favour in recent months, although McFadzean has been sidelined through injury.

"I've had conversations with a lot of lads, including those [the trio] but it will remain private. We've got more to do in bringing people in and that is where we are at," added the manager, who said Daniels' move was an ideal opportunity for the 28-year-old to secure his long-term future rather than wait for when he was likely to become a free agent in the summer transfer market.

"I think it is a wise move for everyone and certainly Donervon as he is going to play games. He goes with our best wishes; he's a lovely bloke, articulate and well-rounded. He's got some leftfield views, but he's really authentic and I really like him," said Artell.

"I wish he'd been a bit fitter for a bit longer so that I could play him in a few more games, but he's really handled himself well."

Recalling the devastating impact of the last transfer window when Crewe saw Charlie Kirk and Owen Dale depart while new signings Shaun MacDonald and Tommie Hoban inexplicably retired, Artell is convinced Crewe are in a better place now.

"I don't think any team would have not suffered the impact of losing four players like we did in August. You don't have time to change it. But we're in better shape now than then and hopefully by this time next week we'll know where we at - and we'll be in great shape for the remaining games of the season.

"We've got 20 games to go and we've got to win a good few of them to give ourselves a chance."