CREWE Alexandra hope to wrap up a loan deal for left-back Tareiq Holmes-Dennis in time for Saturday’s big kick-off against Port Vale.

The 19-year-old defender is expected to arrive at Reaseheath on Thursday and could figure in this weekend’s tasty League One opener.

After missing out on Stephen Kinglsey (Swansea) and Jerome Binnom-Williams (Crystal Palace), Alex boss Steve Davis has turned his attention to the highly-rated Charlton youngster.

An ex-England under 18 international, Holmes-Dennis impressed during loan spells at Plymouth and Oxford last season.

“I went to London to watch him last year and he did very well,” he said.

“He’s played over 30 games in League Two so he has experience of what is expected.

“He’s trained and played in pre-season so he won’t be coming to us unfit so hopefully we can get it done quickly now.”

Towering 6’ 5” centre-half Ben Nugent became Crewe’s fifth summer signing after switching from Cardiff on a two-year-deal.

The 22-year-old has both Championship and League One experience and could also start against Vale.

“He’s keen to learn and develop and he’s still young,” added Davis.

“He’s had a taste of the higher level and I’m sure he’ll want to get back there at some point.

“We needed some height and we knew it would be a problem in this league to compete with the bigger, stronger teams.

“If we need to go with a back three we’d have that height now and we’ve got four very good central defenders to pick from.

“Maybe we lose out on some experience but we have brought in a player with huge potential.”

Davis won’t expect too many surprises from Vale with six former players in the squad.

“Most of your focus in pre-season is on yourself,” he continued.

“Ours has been on how we’re going to fit our players into a system and on the system fitting them.

“Vale will have done a lot of the same.

“I sort of know what team they have because half of them have been here so there won’t be any surprises.

“The most important thing for me is for us to ensure my players go out knowing what they’re doing, that they’re organised and prepared.

“I’ll shake their hands when they arrive, wishing them luck for the season but just not that game.

“Every team we play seem to have a former Crewe player because of the number that have passed through our system.

“It’s an excellent example of what we do and the amount of players we produce who go on to have a career in football.”