David Artell says he will name his captain this week but the decision will not necessarily be ‘set in stone’. The Alex boss declared last week that he hasn’t yet discussed the armband with his staff.

With last season’s captain George Ray struggling to make the first game of the season because of a back injury, the Alex boss has to name a new captain for the seasonal opener against Mansfield Town.

Striker Chris Dagnall has captained the club on the most occasions in pre-season but Artell has told us that he is after ‘more leaders’ throughout his squad.

The Crewe boss said: “I haven’t discussed it yet with the staff. As I’ve said I never placed that much on it. The captaincy in football differs from that of a rugby or cricket captain.

“I want leaders through the squad. I want those leaders to lead through speech, actions, experience and sharing that knowledge. I think we now have a few like that.

“Being a captain is an honour but it shouldn’t change the way you act if you have it or if you don’t have it.

“I will appoint a captain but that doesn’t mean anything is set in stone. I will discuss it with the staff and we will decide what the best way forward is going to be.”