DAVE Artell says clearing the decks for homegrown talent was behind decisions to release defenders Eddie Nolan and Olly Lancashire as well as winger Daniel Powell.

The Crewe boss has challenged Billy Sass-Davies to make his mark next season after spells on loan at Altrincham and Yeovil this term. While he says the rapid progress of player-of-the-season Owen Dale meant he was not inclined to offer Powell fresh terms after the winger struggled to follow up his stellar showing in the 2019/20 League Two promotion campaign.

Artell says he plans to catch up on both Sass-Davies and Regan Griffiths, who is also earning experience at National League level at Notts County, in the coming weeks.

Both youngsters have had their contract extensions triggered, but their manager says he needs them to make first-team breakthroughs.

"If they're to get closer to the first team then next season is going to be big for both of them. They need to be in the first team or very close to it," said the Crewe boss

After a lengthy injury spell in his first season with the club, Lancashire re-emerged to play his part in League One, but Artell believes he can improve his central defensive options in the summer market.

"Daniel and Olly have had contrasting two year spells with us. Dan was good last year (2019/20) but he's had a stop-start season this year. We felt that we have to look to improve,"

"Billy is doing well at Yeovil so that made the decision a bit easier with Olly. With Billy we'll give him a chance and we'll bring a centre-half or two in.

"Owen Dale has been terrific this year, but if he hadn't progressed in such a fashion it might not have been that decision with Daniel.

"It's never easy to make these decisions but it's harder for the players who have got to go and find another club."

Nolan, 32, departs after a four-season stint at Gresty Road. He won the player-of-the-season in 2017/18 and was a vital steadying influence at the back. But injury ruled him out of the latter half of the League Two promotion campaign and he was loaned out to Motherwell in January, only to be hit by more injury problems.

"Eddie was fantastic for us. When he came from Blackpool we knew we were getting a good player and he was terrific for two-and-a-half years," pointed out Artell. "He's been injured for a while and hurt his calf at Motherwell in his first week up there which was unfortunate. But he's got fit and he'll be a real good addition for someone."

Veteran striker Chris Porter is among those who have been offered new deals.

But Ryan Wintle's offer was made last year and Artell concedes the midfielder is unlikely to have a change of heart on his ambition to seek a higher challenge.

Yet the manager is still optimistic Omar Beckles might consider penning fresh terms. Although he is not holding the defender to a deadline on his contract offer, Artell doesn't want any decision to drag on into the summer.

"I think the door has been shut with Ryan. We offered him a contract a year ago and he's not signed. I'm not expecting him to change his mind in the next couple of weeks and I've had calls from directors of football at Championship clubs.

"With regard to Omar he's in a real quandary. He's giving himself as much time as he can to see where the land lies with other clubs. I am speaking to him tomorrow and see where we go from there - but we won't wait for ever."