Search for a star

With less than two weeks till the start of the new season we are still waiting for somebody to fill the void left by Varney. Plenty of names have been banded about, so we have decided to give you the rundown on the targets and likelihood of them joining ahead of the big kick off.

The chances of the new striker being a permanent buy are diminishing by the day, it looks likely that we will bring in a loan player ahead of the kick off against Brighton. High profile Premiership youth starlets Lindfield and Barnard has been strongly linked since the Varney sale.

This week technical director Dario Gradi indicated that they have targeted a Young Championship striker to come in on loan that could come in and do a job. Likely targets include Adam Rooney (Stoke) Dean Bowditch (Ipswich) Chris Martin (Norwich City) and Plymouth`s transfer listed Cherno Samba.

Craig Lindfield – Liverpool

Shot to prominence in their successful FA Youth Cup run in 2006 in which he scored seven goals. He scored the only goal in the pre-season encounter between Crewe and Liverpool prior to the start of 2006/07 season.

The 18 year old striker is yet to make his Premiership debut and is a likely candidate to go on loan this season as he is way down the pecking order. With our relationship with the Liverpool, Lindfield could be an option should Liverpool decide to send him out on loan.

Rating – 3/5
Chances of Signing – 2/5

Christian Nade – Sheffield United

22 year old French striker Christian Nade could be the answer. He will find first team football hard to come by with the Blades in the forthcoming season. Christian scored 3 goals in the Premiership last season and is highly rated.

He may find himself behind former Crewe striker Rob Hulse, former Scunthorpe player Billy Sharp and Danny Webber and the Yorkshire club may well consider sending him on loan to gain more experience.

Rating – 4/5
Chances of Signing – 3/5

Lee Barnard – Tottenham Hotspur

Lee has been the number 1 loan target for the club during the close season, the club approached Tottenham earlier in pre-season to check his availability. Not available at the moment but one to keep an eye on.

He is now 23 years old and the prospect of first team football at the Lane seem remote, fantastic scoring rate at Reserve and Youth team level. If he becomes available expect Crewe to be heading the queue for his signature.

Rating – 5/5
Chances of Signing 4/5

Adam Rooney – Stoke City

Scored a hatrick on the last day of the 2005/06 season for Stoke against Brighton. Has yet to establish himself in the first team and spent an unsuccessful loan spell with Yeovil towards the end of the 2006/07.

Locally based and could be considered as a viable option for a loan move. He is 5ft 10 and 20 years old. Rooney will be behind Ricardo Fuller, Jon Parkin, Vincent Perricard and Mama Sidibe in the pecking order.

Rating – 3/5
Chances of Signing – 3/5

Besian Idrizaj – Liverpool

Another Liverpool player who will struggle to get games in the Liverpool first team in the forthcoming season. At 6ft 2 he fits the bill perfectly and would tick all the right boxes for the Crewe management team.

Scored a hatrick in the first pre-season game against Wrexham, spent a brief spell on loan at Luton in the Championship last season and it is anticipated that the Austrian born forward will again go out on loan.

Rating – 4/5
Chances of Signing – 4/5

Cherno Samba – Plymouth Argyle

Transfer listed by Plymouth and whilst it would be a gamble, It may represent a viable option for the club. 5ft 10 striker who was attracting attention from Liverpool and Manchester United when he was 15.

The big money move never materialised and has lost his way. He moved abroad to Spanish side Cadiz. He returned to England last season and failed to make the break through in Devon.

Cherno had a spell on loan at Wrexham at the back end of last season but has now been made available for transfer by Plymouth manager Ian Holloway. A lot of work would be needed but the coaching of Gradi and Holland perhaps could bring the best out of him.

Rating – 2/5
Chances of Signing – 2/5

Dean Bowditch -Ipswich Town

Highly rated youngster who has played up front with Darren Bent at Ipswich. Big things were expected of the 21 year old. Another who has lost his way and in the past couple of years has had loan spells at Brighton, Wycombe and Burnley.

Will more than likely be available for loan in the forthcoming season. It would probably take time to repair his confidence but he is a player who could benefit by coming on loan to Crewe.

Rating 3/5
Chances of Signing – 5/5

Chris Martin – Norwich City

18 year old striker who broke in to the Norwich side in January 2007. He scored 4 goals and his form has seen him earn a call up for England`s Under 19 team. At 5ft 10 he would add a presence to our team.

With Jamie Cureton, Darren Huckerby, Dion Dublin, David Strihavka, Ryan Jarvis and Chris Brown in the Norwich squad he may find his chances limited and Peter Grant maybe tempted to let the youngster out on loan.

Rating 4/5
Chances of Signing 4/5

Andrew Carroll

At 6ft 3 he would be an ideal signing for Crewe. The youngster made his debut for Newcastle in the UEFA cup game against Palermo in November 2006. Andrew would be an excellent acquisition for Crewe.

Highly unlikely that he will be allowed out on loan as he is near to the Newcastle first team. If the north east giants did decide to let him go out it is likely that we would face stiff competition for his signature.

Rating 5/5
Chances of Signing 1/5