Players to get adequate playing time against Buxton and Kidsgrove.

David Artell says he will mix the squad up for our pre-season fixtures next week. Crewe Alexandra kick off their pre-season campaign against Buxton and Kidsgrove on Tuesday evening and Artell says that he will give the majority of his squad enough game time for this stage of his preparations.

Those players will any muscle fatigue will be not risked and he will assess George Ray’s back before he is considered for selection.

Artell told the club’s official web-site: “The aim of the pre-season is to make sure the players get their match fitness. It is a different type of fitness, so the matches are important. We will build it up gradually and then end the pre-season with more testing games against Bury and Stoke.

“We will use the pre-season games against non-league opposition to utilise the squad and make sure they all get game time. We will prepare right and make sure that each player gets enough minutes.

“The aim is to get them all as fit as they can be. The last thing you want is to pick up unnecessary injuries. I am sure there will be some tired bodies but it will help them going forward.”

For all the latest pre-season information please click here.