Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell refuses to use injuries to five key players as an excuse for our plummet down the league table. The Crewe boss has not been able to field long-term absentees James Jones and George Ray all season and those two players have been joined by Ryan Wintle, Tom Lowery and Michael Raynes.

Lowery and Raynes missed Saturday’s game at Forest Green Rovers due to injury but Artell says there are no excuses coming from him.

Artell told the club’s official website: “We have five players missing and some of them are our more physical players but that is not the reason why we have had the run we have had.

“We haven’t have James or George all season and we lost Ryan fairly early on. They are big players for us but they are injured and there is not a lot we can do about it. When players are injured they are no good to the manager.

“When they are fit and available then great but in the meantime they have to get on with their rehab and try to get back as soon as possible.

“It is up to us to turn it around and there will be no excuses from me. Injuries are part and parcel of the game and you have to get on with it.”