David Artell has told the club’s official website that he is excited by the competition for places in attacking positions. The Crewe Alexandra boss has been able to sign Jordan Bowery on a permanent basis following his successful loan spell and then moved quickly to secure the services of the vastly experienced Chris Porter.

With the likes of Chris Dagnall, George Cooper, Dan Udoh, Charlie Kirk and Callum Ainley also battling it out for a role in the forward line, Artell says that performances will determine selection.

Artell told crewealex.net: “I regard the competition for places as a positive. It is part of management and I would much rather have those type of decisions to make.

“There will be times when players won’t be playing. It is up to them to impress and make an impression because they will get a chance here.

“I don’t think one of our strikers will start 45, 50+ games, so they will get their chance at some point. It is then up to them to take it.

“Every player in the world has been rested or dropped. It is part of the game and it is how you react to that that is important.”