Have a look at Abdi Ibrahim, I have him on my Crewe save and he's premiership quality now in 2015, you might be able to loan him the first season...I got him for 140k at the end of the first season I think.
I found the loan market was most effective because you can get players on no fees and no wages...try Nimely (Man City I think on loan), Matt Fry (free), Paul Stalteri (free), Tom Thorpe (loan), Chris Herd (loan), Nathan Baker (loan), Keith Treacy (loan), Bebe (loan)....they all worked out well for me either in the first season or second season in League 1, it took me two attempts to get promoted. Good luck!
