NEW faces arrived at the Alex's Reaseheath training ground this week as two trialists bid to win contracts.

Former Birmingham City midfielder Jacques Williams and Liverpool forward John Miles are the duo looking to impress Crewe's coaching staff, this week.

Williams, 21, holds dual French and English nationality and spent three seasons with the Premiership newcomers, playing half a dozen games before being released by Steve Bruce, this summer.

A product of Liverpool's academy, Miles never made it into the first team at Liverpool but did impress during a loan spell at Stoke during the back-end of last season.

"The French boy was injured for a long time so Steve Bruce never saw him play and he was released when his contract expired," revealed Gradi.

"It was Brian Eastwick, who people will remember was my assistant here and is still a good friend of mine. He is the Academy Director at Birmingham and recommended the player to me.

"There were actually two French boys on frees who wanted to come here and this one was technically the better of the two.

"He's more of a playmaker. We are OK for midfielders but if he's talented, there's no reason why we can't have a look at him.

"John has been very persistent in requesting a trial at the club and he contacted me midway through last season but he wouldn't have been able to get in the team then anyway.

"He's come now though and he's done well."

The duo will benefit from Crewe's coaching over the week, which is something Gradi plans to modify for this season.

"I want Steve Holland to be more involved with the first team than before," he added.

"Maybe I spent too much time with only the first team, last season.

"But for the last five years in Division One we couldn't afford the time off for player improvement

"Me, Neil (Baker) and Steve will try to work more with players in groups.

"We've got to improve the technical ability of the players."