CREWE boss Dario Gradi has angrily dismissed reports linking Dean Ashton with a move to Premiership strugglers Wolves.

With the top flight's transfer window opening next month, the 20-year-old striker is unsurprisingly among traditional speculation, tipped by both regional press in the Midlands and national tabloids for a £1.5 million transfer.

As expected, it's the first Dario's heard of it.

"I'm not into speculation," he said.

"Newspapers just go out to fuel speculation regarding players and we don't take any notice.

"We only take anything seriously when a formal bid is made for our players and then like always, we sit down and consider it.

"With Dean there has been no bid from Wolves or anyone and there is nothing else to say.

"It's pure speculation and I won't make any further comment on things like that because it isn't worth it."

Back to real business, the boss is hopeful that David Vaughan will be fit for Saturday's home clash with Gillingham.

Dave Brammer remains out for the foreseeable future with his groin injury while Neil Sorvel is a doubt to face the Gills.

"Sorv's has taken longer than expected but he could make the weekend.

"Bramms is seeing a specialist for advice on what should be his next step.

"We've told him it's entirely up to him because you only undergo an operation if it's going to provide a solution to the problem."

The Alex are hoping to extend their awesome home record on Saturday against a side that beat them 2-0 three weeks ago.

"They played very well there and surprisingly had most of the play," explained Gradi.

"Their manager has done a good job, it's not easy to keep a club like Gillingham in Division One but he has and has done well.

"They won't catch us in the same way though.

"We'll try and improve the performance that we gave there and match the one against Sunderland.

"We found it hard to get the ball off them so we need to try and get the initiative more."

Taking 22 points out of a possible 30 at home is enviable and Gradi believes the underdog tag helps.

"Big clubs still think they should be beating us," he said.

"It's like if a non-league club come here now.

"No matter what I say the players will think they should win and it's up to them to prove it.

"It's an advantage always being the underdog."

He also believes the repair work on the pitch is paying dividends.

"We took the decision to improve the pitch to play our football and develop our footballers," he continued.

"The pitch is now as it should have been after the first year and we hope it gets better from now on."

Even if Crewe hit 30 points on Saturday, Gradi insists there is no target, only an aim.

"We just want to stay up as high in the league as possible without looking over our shoulders at any time," he said

"A few weeks ago there were talks of the play-offs although that's looking less likely because of the last few weeks.

"But our home form continues to be good and that gives us hope."

l For a report on Crewe's FA Youth Cup Third Round clash with Brentford, turn to page 42.