Crewe boss Dario Gradi admits he has endured a frustrating week after missing out on centre-back Jamie McCombe and also losing the race to sign coach-cum-goalkeeper Gavin Ward.

Ward, 35, left Preston at the end of the season and had been earmarked by Gradi as both goalkeeping coach and reserve stopper, but he has informed the Crewe boss he has agreed to move to another League One side.

"We asked if he'd be interested in a coaching role as well as playing. But he was aware that Ben Williams, providing he signs his new contract, would start next season as first choice," Gradi told the club's official website.

"But he is signing for someone else and I think he will go there and play in the team."

Gradi has also described his disappointment in being beaten to McCombe by Bristol City, and added: "I knew he was going to talk to Bristol City but I thought we were in with a good chance of getting him.

"I don't know what they offered him, but I'm sure a club like Bristol City could offer him more in wages than we can. We gave it a good go and it wasn't meant to be, so we keep on looking for those players that could make a difference."