Leek wide man will get the best of both worlds after completing Crewe switch

Steve Davis says young John Johnston has been given a great opportunity to prove that he has the ability and the temperament to make the step up into the professional game after taking the 19-year-old on a short-term contract. Johnston will return to Leek on loan to help them in their quest to earn promotion from the Northern Premier League but will train full-time with the Railwaymen.

Johnston has been training with Crewe Alexandra for the last couple of weeks and has impressed enough to earn himself a short-term deal with the club.

After completing the deal on deadline day, Steve told the club’s official web-site: “It is a big opportunity for Johnny and we have had a chat with him about that. He knows what is expected of him and knows that he will have to change things in his life and be dedicated himself to making the grade.

“It is a big chance for him and he knows he cannot afford to waste it. He has been working really hard since he has been with us and he is developing physically. He is only used to training a couple of times a week at Leek and his body has to adjust to full time training.

“You have to be careful with young players coming from the non-league and we will look to ease him into full-time football so he doesn’t suffer any set-backs. He will work on his strength and will play in Under-21 and reserve games for us, while also play for Leek because they have given themselves a chance of winning promotion and we would like to help them as well.

He added: “It is important that he continues to get games and Johnny will get the best of both worlds by working every day as well. “