DAVE Artell has scheduled a meeting with Callum Ainley's agent today in his bid to persuade the attacker to re-sign with Crewe.

Ainley is among several Alex players who have not shown a readiness yet to commit to new deals when their current ones expire in the summer. They include midfielder Ryan Wintle and defender Omar Beckles.

If Ainley was to choose to move on Crewe would receive compensation for his development as he doesn't turn 24 until later in the year.

But boss Artell wants the homegrown player to consider his options in terms of career progression.

If he extends his stay with the club he insists it will help put Ainley further up the improvement curve which will be for his long-term benefit.

He was in an impressive streak of form earlier in the campaign before a hamstring injury sustained at Cheltenham in November's FA Cup tie meant he had to go under the surgeon's knife.

Since returning after a three-month lay-off he has started only three times, one of which was the midweek draw (2-2) at Charlton where he proved to be a key player in a very impressive team performance.

Artell stressed: "Callum is an excellent player and I want him to be more effective in both boxes. We've got to work with him. But obviously, he's 23 and if his agent wants to take him cross border for compensation there's not lot we can do.

"But if he believes we can make him better he needs to sign a new contract."

Artell admits contract talks are proving to be time-consuming and, in some cases, frustrating although he reports that progress has been made with several of the club's younger players.

Wintle, it appears, is heading for the exit after a six-year stay with Crewe - and at 24 there will be no fee at all, whereas Artell hopes to persuade Beckles to pen another deal after joining on a one-year contract with the option of another year last summer.

Veteran striker Chris Porter is also out of contract.

Artell added: "We've got somewhere with a number of the young lads. There's one or two where we are not getting anywhere. There's been a wall of concrete between us and them.

"It's a time consuming process that sometimes isn't helped by the agents, but sometimes it is."

Crewe travel to relegated Bristol Rovers tomorrow for their penultimate game (K.O 3pm).