Bell targeting more Crewe signings in January

Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell says it would be "ideal" if he could strengthen the squad this month while a number of key players continue their returns to full fitness.

The Alex are without the likes of Conor Thomas, Jack Lankester, Omar Bogle and top-scorer Emre Tezgel.

Midfielder Thomas is reportedly "very close" to being available after a calf injury but the rest are some weeks away.

Crewe have added goalkeeper Ian Lawlor from Doncaster and brought in Wolverhampton Wanderers defender Alfie Pond on loan so far this month - and Bell says some more new faces would help keep things ticking over.

"We are a good team, we're as good as anybody," Bell told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We desperately need the more established players back as quickly as possible because we're a match for anybody.

"It would be ideal if we could do something in January, if we could try to help with the squad and strengthen it."

With his side 10th in League Two, only three points outside the play-off places, Bell is happy with where the club are at the moment as they wait for those key players to return.

"We're in a good, healthy position - it's about trying to improve as individuals and as a team and trying to add a layer," he said.

"It's about finding different ways to win - it's not always going to be three, four goals at home all the time.

"How we do that depends on how many established players we have on the pitch."

After two wins and a draw - and eight goals scored - in their past three home games, Crewe face back-to-back away matches against Notts County on Saturday and leaders Bromley three days later.

With only one win on the road since October, Lee says improving their results away from the Mornflake Stadium is a key aim.

"Absolutely, it's a good challenge of character and a mental challenge," he said.

"We've got to enjoy it and good teams and good players come through these challenges. They embrace them. If you take a hit it's how you react and get over it.

"When we take some hits we'll be critical with each other to try to improve but winning breeds confidence.

"You can scrape a one-nil win or do what we do at home and score seven goals in two games but we do need to have different ways to win matches."