Callum Saunders can become a real match winner for us.

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis has admitted that Callum Saunders' late header against Colchester United on Tuesday night has given him food for thought ahead of this weekend’s clash at Oldham Athletic.

Saunders, 20, salvaged Crewe a first point in eight games with a superb near post header from a James Jones corner, as the game entered stoppage time at the Alexandra Stadium. It was the young Welshman’s second goal at senior level as Crewe drew 1-1 with the U’s.

Steve told crewealex.net: “When you bring substitutes on you want them to have an impact and I thought Daniel (Udoh) and Callum (Saunders) did that on Tuesday night. They ran in behind and stretched their back four and that created space for others.

“They did exactly what we asked of them and we got our reward in the last minute. I thought we deserved that and it was a great header from Callum. It was a good finish and scoring from set-pieces is something we have to improve on.

“We need Callum to continue to make progress. He has a year left on his contract and he knows it is a big season for him coming up. We always thought he would need some time to develop physically but we also thought he would be more of a regular this season.

“That hasn’t happened and that is to do with his physicality and his form. He needs to work harder than he is and develop that belief and confidence in himself.

“It is difficult for him after all that his dad achieved in the game, but he is a good player in his own right and he has always had a good record of scoring goals all the way through the Academy.

“Now he has to take his ability to the next level because we believe he can score goals.”