Alex forward says he is at his most confident yet.

Crewe Alexandra’s Max Clayton says he is feeling at his most confident yet. The 18-year-old forward came off the bench during Crewe’s 4-1 win over Bradford City on Tuesday night and grabbed a crucial goal to put the Railwaymen 2-1 up.

The Alex forward returned to the starting line-up during Crewe’s draw at Leyton Orient last weekend after the return of Lauri Dalla Valle to Fulham, and Max says he is delighted to be given his chance to impress.

He is now targeting a return to the sort of form that saw him named the Football League’s Young Player of the Month for August: “It was great to come back in to the team and play fairly well at Leyton Orient.  It was a tough game and we had to do dig in but we got a good result.

“Personally I was just happy to be back playing again. I have been doing well in training and I am at the most confident that I have been all season to be honest. I have had my chance now and hopefully I have taken it.

“I think I started the season really well but then I lost my confidence a little bit and got injured as well. I can’t really explain why my confidence went, but I am back in full training now and feeling really good. I feel like I am back to my best now and want to go out and show it.”