LEEK Town have snapped up former Crewe Alexandra midfielder Dan Shelley on non-contract terms.
Shelley, aged 22, made 79 appearance for the Gresty Road outfit and bagged nine goals.
The midfielder, who can also operate up front, is described as a "tremendous" acquisition by manager Lee Casswell. But the former Alex player's time at Harrison Park could be limited.
"If someone comes in from the Conference he wont be here long," said Casswell. "But we'd be crazy not to bring him on board.
"He won't leave Leek to go sideways or just up one level. He wants Conference at the very minimum."
Shelley was expected to be drafted straight into the starting XI for last night's trip to Market Drayton.
Casswell said: "It's very cruel as we've a good squad, but our job is to bring in players who are better than what we've got."
Meanwhile, Town have been pitted against Blue Square North side Altrincham in the next round of the FA Cup on Saturday, October 6 - with £7,500 in prize money up for grabs.
Casswell admits that Altrincham will pose Town's biggest FA Cup test yet after pocketing more than £9,000 from the previous three ties.
The Blues boss said: "We've another home tie which is all you can ask for.
"When you play a side two levels above you have to play to the best of your ability - and hope they haver a bit of an off day.
"But they certainly wont underestimate us - they will know we have some good quality in the side."
Town remain in knockout action this weekend with Evo-Stik First Division North outfit Radcliffe Borough the visitors to Harrison Park in an FA Trophy first qualifying round fixture. And Casswell reckons the onus will be on the hosts.
He said: "It will be similar to the Warrington game. The emphasis will be on us to go and win the game as the home side.
"Hopefully we can go and do that because of the financial side of things."
