23/07/2008 - Holland bids to balance books by cutting Alex squad
CREWE coach Steve Holland is looking to offload players in a bid to balance the books after admitting breaking the transfer budget agreed with chairman John Bowler.
Although Holland is still looking to add new faces to his squad, despite bringing in five players this summer, he will step up efforts to reduce the club’s outgoings.
He explained: "There's always been a budget and if you have a figure you need to stick to it.
"There's a figure that John has indicated he would like us to work towards.
"We didn't have the scope this year in terms of players being out of contract at the end of the season to make as much room as we would have liked for new faces.
"So we are now at a stage where we've brought in five players and I'm more or less at my limit.
"I'm just over the budget, but I still can bring in more players, which I'm sure I will do before the start of the season. But there's a book balancing exercise required now and that will involve one or two players moving out the other way."
Unsettled Danny Woodards and Gary Roberts could be among the first to leave Gresty Road, although there has been little interest in the pair since they were transfer-listed last month.
Holland fielded an inquiry for 21-year-old midfielder Roberts from Championship side Cardiff, but manager Dave Jones has not followed up his interest.
Any budget concerns would disappear with the sale of £2.5m-rated striker Nicky Maynard, but Holland is keen to hold on to his prized asset for at least a season.
A more pressing issue for Crewe last night was the extent of an injury sustained by Jake Livermore during a pre-season friendly at Wrexham.
The game ended goalless, but of more concern was the 18-year-old's nasty-looking ankle injury, which later underwent an X-ray at hospital.
While Holland was satisfied with his side's display, he added: "The big disappointment is the injury to Jake. Hopefully it isn't too serious."