David Artell pleased to sign experienced midfielder until the end of the season.

Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says he has been impressed with Danny Hollands’ professionalism and he is delighted that the 31-year-old midfielder has agreed to remain at the club until at least the summer.

Artell has admitted that he considered freeing up the players’ wages to strengthen his squad in the January window but Hollands’ reaction and approach to the work under the new boss has changed his mind.

Hollands, a former player with Bournemouth and Portsmouth, has signed on until the end of the season and Artell is open to extending that beyond if he can impress in the remaining few months of the season.

David told crewealex.net: “I thought Danny was very good on Saturday. He had one of his best games in a Crewe shirt. He has really impressed me. He has trained well and he is a great professional.

“We had an open and honest conversation and he knew that I thought about using his wages elsewhere, but he got on with it and he went out and performed for us on Saturday.

“He feels his ankle is better and we need his experience and leadership on and off the pitch. He now has an opportunity to push and I’m sure he will want to end the season well.

"He has four months of the season left and if he can perform in the final 20 games like he did on Saturday then I’m sure we will sit down and discuss things again in the summer.”He added: