STEVE Davis will make a last-gasp attempt to boost his squad ahead of Saturday’s League One opener at Fleetwood Town.

The Alex boss could move for 19-year-old QPR winger Michael Petrasso, while Man City striker Jordi Hiwala remains a target.

Former QPR midfielder Angelo Balanta has also had his trial spell extended after scoring in Monday’s 7-0 win at Rochester.

“I’ll be busy right up until the weekend,” explained Davis. “We’re still trying to build the squad and we might have added two or three by the end of the week.

“It’s all starting to gather pace and we’ll try and tie things up. A lot of the players we targeted are coming back off tours and the clubs have been deciding what to do with them.

“It’s never straight forward and it depends on the clubs and the players wanting to come but I’m optimistic.”

Having recently signed a new three-year deal with Harry Redknapp’s Premier League newcomers, Canadian under 20 international Petrasso is available on loan.

Colombian Balanta, 24, has been without a club since being released by the Loftus Road outfit back in 2013 despite successful loan spells at MK Dons.

“It will be interesting to see how he does with the rest of the group,” added Davis. ‘We’ll keep him with us this weekend and see how he gets on.

“There was nothing to lose by bringing him in to have a look. He’s got good pedigree and has played in League One.

“But there is a reason a talented boy is without a club and while he is here, hopefully we’ll find that out, positive or negative.”

Striker Marcus Haber is unlikely to be fit for Fleetwood alongside fellow new recruit Chris Atkinson.

The 25-year-old target man, who has scored 13 goals in 115 games, signed a two-year deal last week after being released by Stevenage.

“He’ll be the first to admit that he hasn’t scored enough goals in his career,” continued Davis. “But we’ll work on that and he’ll improve.

“He’s a nuisance, occupies centre-halves and he’ll create chances for others.”

New signing Scott Shearer is likely to make his debut between the sticks as Crewe target their first opening day win for seven years.

“Hopefully the work we’ve done will pay off,” said Davis. “We’d love to get off to a great start. It would really settle us down and give the lads confidence.

“We want to do much better than last season, that is fundamental. We’re not setting our sights massively high and we’re being realistic. But we are determined to improve.”

Crewe travel to Barnsley in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday before facing the same opposition at home next Saturday.