by Gwyn Griffiths

NEW Crewe boss Gudjon Thordarson says he has already called up his list of contacts as he bids to freshen up his relegation-threatened side.

Thordarson was swiftly down to business after meeting his new charges at the club's Reaseheath training complex yesterday. But his team selection for his first game – Saturday's FA Cup clash at Millwall – will be guided by Dario Gradi, who steps aside after an eight-game caretaker's role.

Before leaving, Gradi extended the loan deals of Kenny Lunt and Dennis Lawrence.

But the former Stoke manager still wants to add to a squad he says he has familiarised himself with before he returned from a festive break in his native Iceland.

"It will be down to what kind of deals we can do," said Thordarson.

"I will want to speak to a few people about players, but we have to find the best selections."

"I need to assess my own squad and who is available first and foremost. I think it will be healthy to bring in one or two new faces.

"I have already been in touch with a few of my friends in the game and it is down to what deals we can cut."

During his three-year stint at the Britannia Stadium, Thordarson was inclined to delve into the market for Scandinavian players, particularly those from his homeland. But he reveals, initially, he will be seeking reinforcement closer to home when the transfer window opens tomorrow.

"The problem will not be bringing players in, but who we shall bring in. We will have to assess that and I have already spoken to a few people," added Thordarson.

"It will be down to the quality and the money involved as well. That market (Scandinavian) is a small market – Scandinavia is on the outskirts of Britain. But I will concentrate on the near market at the current time."

Thordarson takes on an onerous task with Crewe seven points adrift of safety in League One. But he will stress the values of hard work and discipline and says he is confident relegation can be avoided.

"The priority will be to work hard and to get the club out of the position we are in.

"We have got half of the games left, so there is plenty of time to do it, but we have got to start winning games," stressed the 53-year-old, who appears willing to work with Crewe's current backroom team, which includes assistant manager Neil Baker.

"I hope they stand behind me. People don't have to worry, but from my point of view we will have to work hard and we will have to stick together," he added.

He will need to find out from Swansea whether he can use on-loan defender Dennis Lawrence in the FA Cup tie.

But he could have defenders Billy Jones and George Abbey available again for the trip to the New Den, while midfielder James Bailey has recovered from a bout of food poisoning.

Danny Woodards, though, will be sidelined for at least a fortnight after hobbling out of the Boxing Day clash against Oldham with a hamstring strain.