David Artell has revealed that his injured trio, James Jones, Ryan Wintle and George Ray are progressing well and could give the club a welcome boost in the New Year.

Ray (back) and Jones (pelvis) have not kicked a ball this season, while Wintle has been ruled out since September after fracturing his tibia against Carlisle United.

The Crewe boss has told the club’s official website that all three have been back outside and running on grass again without any discomfort. It is a massive step in the right direction with Artell hoping for January return to action.

Artell told crewealex.net: “They have all been out on the grass running.  There have been no reactions.

“Right now I have to plan without them, they haven't kicked a ball. Ryan's a bit different, he's not been out quite as long.

“But with Jonah and George, they haven't kicked a ball all season so you have to presume they are not going to kick a ball all season.

“That's not likely, they'll be back at some point. But when, we don't know. There could be relapses.

 “We have to plan for the worst case scenario in the hope you don't have to execute those plans, that's where we sit at the minute.”

He added: “The three of them, at different sort of stages for different reasons, are all getting to where they need to be.”