Ryan Lowe says players are 'itching' for the start of the season.

Ryan Lowe, 37, says that the Crewe Alexandra youngsters will have to earn the right to play football in League Two. Crewe start the new season with a tough away game at Stevenage this weekend and the club’s vastly experienced striker says that the group will have to learn to cope with the physical nature of League Two.

Lowe told Crewe Alex PlayerHD: “Last weekend at Lincoln wasn’t the result we were hoping for, but the positive from our point of view is that it didn’t cost us anything. It was a reminder of what life in League Two can be like.

“It will be tough. We are renowned for being a nice footballing team but you have to earn the right to do that. League Two is a tough league and there will be some battles on our hands.

“Especially for the younger lads, they have seen that now. They are going to take whacks, 50-50 challenges where they have to go in where it hurts. If you play in League Two you have to be a man.

“The lads are itching to get to Stevenage now, everyone is ready. It’ll be a big test for us at Stevenage. People always build up the first game but it just about getting out there, giving 100% and hoping that’s good enough.”

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