by Gwyn Griffiths

BERTRAND Bossu says he is determined to claim Crewe's number one jersey after agreeing a short-term deal at Gresty Road.

The French keeper has been given until the end of the year to make his mark after he impressed Dario Gradi during a week-long trial.

The 29-year-old left Aberdeen by mutual consent at the end of August, but Bossu insists he gained valuable experience by working with goalkeeping coach Jim Leighton, despite making only two appearances.

"It was great to train with Jim. But when the manager (Jimmy Calderwood) was sacked, it was time to move on," said Bossu. "Things didn't work out after Mark McGhee came in. I'd torn my hamstring and I was out for six weeks at the beginning of the season.

"I went back home and I've trained with one of my former clubs, FC Nantes."

Gradi's main concern is Bossu's lack of regular match action, but he could be handed a place on the bench at Cheltenham on Saturday.

"I will give it my best to see if I can become Crewe's number one," added the keeper, who has also had spells with Walsall, Gillingham, Torquay, Oldham, Darlington and Accrington.

"Since I've been in the UK I've always been fighting to establish myself against good keepers. Clayton Ince was at Walsall, went up from League Two and previously Jason Brown was the number one at Gillingham and, at Aberdeen, I was up against James Langfield, who is a member of the Scotland squad, so it has been tough for me."

Meanwhile, Gradi says Crewe need to stop the rot at Cheltenham on Saturday after losing seven of their last eight games.

The caretaker boss highlights the importance of the clash at Whaddon Road, where defeat would worsen their current 18th position in League and allow the hosts to vault over them in the table.

"It will be an important game as we don't want to keep on losing. At the moment we don't look a promotion side. But I'm not regarding this as hard work, I feel this is another opportunity to make a difference here," pointed out the caretaker boss.

* Crewe's FA Cup first round opponents York have confirmed it will be pay on the turnstiles for the Kit Kat Crescent tie on Saturday, November 7. (Terrace admission is £14/£9 concessions).