James Collins says Daniel Udoh will only benefit from getting game time in League One.

First team coach James Collins says that our most recent signing from Ilkeston, Danny Udoh, will bring some more streetwise experience to the Crewe Alexandra front line. The 19-year-old has been handed some valuable game time since joining us from Ilkeston for a nominal fee and he has impressed with his work ethic.

Udoh started the local derby against Port Vale but was replaced at half-time after running himself into the ground. He replaced Marcus Haber in our 1-1 draw with Colchester United and impressed with his ability in the air and he was unlucky not to get his first goal after breaking the offside trap, but he was denied because of a timely tackle from the covering Tom Eastman.

James told the club’s official web-site: “Danny has a great work ethic and he has a good leap on him. He is prepared to have that contact with other players and he is determined to do well.

“When you sign the players from non-league they are grateful for the opportunity and they want to impress. He is more streetwise than our own Academy players and hopefully that competitiveness will rub off on some of our players.

“We develop more technical players here and hopefully some of the work we will do will rub off on him.

“I am sure he would have been surprised to have gone straight into the team but he is getting valuable game time and it should aid his development by getting the experience.”