Artell wants his pros to keep ticking over in closed season.

Crewe Alexandra players will be returning to the club’s training ground complex next week to begin their strength and conditioning programme. Crewe boss David Artell has introduced a pre-season programme to make sure that his players get at least two sessions under their belt in readiness for their return to full-time training at the end of June.

The players have had two weeks off and will be granted another two weeks off later in the summer.

Artell told crewealex.net: “The players will be back in next Tuesday. They have to do two sessions a week to work on their conditioning. They have had two weeks off now and they will be have another two weeks at their discretion.

"They will have to get some sessions under their belt and be ready. I’m sure they will come in and get it done. They will work harder here than they would at home. It will keep it ticking over and it is important. It is all about being professional.

“It won’t be overly hard but it won’t be easy either. It will just be enough to keep them ticking over.”