CREWE Alexandra still harbour hopes of signing Swansea City defender Stephen Kingsley with the big kick-off just two weeks away.

Targeting a much better start in League One, Alex boss Steve Davis continues to search for a left back, centre half and keeper as that opener against Port Vale looms.

After missing out on Greg Leigh and opting against taking trialist Sam Grimshaw, 20-year-old Kingsley was due to arrive this week.

However the left back has impressed during the Swans' pre-season trip to Germany, completing the full 90 minutes in a win over 1860 Munich and also figuring against Borussia Monchengladbach.

And now management want to assess the Scotland youth international further in their pre-season campaign.

Kingsley finished last season on loan at Yeovil after three years at Falkirk and was believed to be attracting the attention of several Championship clubs.

But Crewe were hopeful that good links with Swansea would swing a loan deal in their favour, having already taken midfielder Adam King on a six-month stint.

Davis does have alternatives but time is running out.

“Good left backs are hard to find,” he said.

“But the ones we have in mind would improve us and hopefully we can sort something out quickly now.”

George Cooper bagged two and Brad Inman was also on target in a 3-2 win over Blackburn this week.

Trialist keeper Dave Richards figured in the behind-closed-doors friendly along with Marcus Haber, who is back after international commitments.

“George is having a real go,” continued Davis.

“He can produce bits of quality but he just needs to produce more and make better decisions.

“If he can do that then he stands a good chance of starting the season.

“He’s working very hard and listening."

Richards, 21, is on the look out for a new club after two-and-a-half years at Bristol City in which he failed to make a senior start.

“We still need a keeper,” added Davis.

“Dave’s got the attributes, he’s got size, he’s a good talker and a decent lad.

“He’s young and we’ll have to make a decision on him.

“We haven’t decided on the team yet but it’s always in the back of your mind who you want to play and where you want to play them.

“There are certain positions we need to fill but I’m happy with where we are.”

Out-of-contract Ryan Colclough is likely to be missing from the starting line-up if he does not pledge his future to Crewe.

“I have to look at the first 11 of the season and if he hasn’t signed a contract, I’m not sure he can be involved,” said Davis