by Gwyn Griffiths

DARIO Gradi admits Crewe might need to get in a new manager quickly if they continue to plummet towards League Two.

While no definite time-scale has been set to find Steve Holland's successor, a further string of defeats could leave a new man at the helm with an impossible task if he inherits a team destined for the drop.

Gradi takes charge of the second game of his caretakership at leaders Leicester tonight knowing the odds are against him recording an unlikely win to rub out some of what is effectively a nine-point gap to safety.

That margin increased at the weekend as Crewe crashed 3-0 to Stockport, while basement rivals Yeovil (1-0 winners over Tranmere) and Leyton Orient (goalless draw with Millwall) were picking up points.

Gradi has passed on the names of potential candidates who he has fielded calls from to Alex chairman John Bowler.

But the process of selection has not got to the stage of discussing a short-list yet and could drag beyond next week's FA Cup second-round tie against either Carlisle or non-league Grays (December 3).

But after tonight's trip to the Walkers Stadium, Crewe are without a fixture this Saturday which could give Gradi and his fellow directors time to take stock of the runners and riders.

Gradi said: "If we keep losing games then that (appointment) will become a necessity very, very quickly.

"I have spoken to John (Bowler) about people who have spoken to me. He will have a list of people who will have shown an interest in the job.

"We'll have a meeting to discuss what the next step is. It is a case of waiting to see who is interested."

A string of former Crewe players, such as Craig Hignett and David Platt, have had their names thrown into the hat, but Jim Gannon, fresh from his side's Alexandra Stadium victory, has pledged his loyalty to Stockport.

Other names touted for the vacancy include former Millwall boss Willie Donachie, Bournemouth's Jimmy Quinn, Steve Cotterill and Stoke City legend Denis Smith.

"We will discuss their merits person by person. I see most of our ex-players have been mentioned," noted Gradi.

"I think Danny Murphy would get my vote. He could definitely come in and be the player/manager.

"But I'm not leading the charge and I will have the same input (on the decision) as any of the other directors."

In the meantime, Gradi is determined to try to end Crewe's wretched run, which has seen them go 11 league games without a win.

The club's technical director made three changes for the weekend visit of County when he recalled Danny O'Donnell, Shaun Miller and Danny Woodards.

Now he can welcome back influential midfielder Michael O'Connor after suspension as he bids to outwit the Foxes.

And he may have a role for other fringe players who have been recently discarded, such as strikers Calvin Zola and Anthony Elding.

"The bonus of being in on a short-term basis is that I can ring the changes without upsetting too many people for too long," stressed Gradi.

"I'd like to win the games, not to prolong my time in the job, but to try and get us nearly out of trouble before the new guy comes in.

"It is not a no-hope situation and I wouldn't have accepted the role if I'd thought that. I see it as a challenge and I am hoping we can get a win to get a run going."

Much has changed since Crewe last played at Leicester. Mike Higdon was on the mark in a 1-1 Championship draw in December 2005.

Leicester, relegated at Stoke on the final day last May, will expect their stay at this level to be short and they moved to the summit after winning 2-1 at rivals Scunthorpe at the weekend.

Gradi said: "We'll go there to try to give ourselves a chance of winning, but we know we'll need to defend as well.

"With the exception of Matty Fryatt I didn't know the names of any of Leicester's players until our briefing on Monday.

"Fryatt played in my under-14s team and I thought he was going to sign with us, but he decided to stay with his mates who were at Walsall at the time."

Nigel Pearson has target man Steve Howard back after suspension, but will be inclined to stick with former Brentford and Birmingham striker DJ Campbell alongside the free-scoring Fryatt.

The duo combined to lay on the winner for Andy King at Glanford Park and Pearson noted: "As a partnership, they are difficult to play against and I am pleased for DJ because he has had a frustrating time without getting a run in the side.

"It was a good result against Scunthorpe, but we have to stay focused against Crewe. Our ultimate goal is promotion and we will be going all out for a win."