David Artell was delighted with George Cooper’s ‘unnoticed work’ against Rotherham United at the weekend. The Crewe Alexandra boss says that the Academy graduate did a fantastic job for the team in a defensive capacity and was always looking to get on the front foot when he was in possession.

Cooper may not have had too much service in the first half but he produced a terrific free-kick to entice the Rotherham goalkeeper from his line, and Brad Walker bravely headed home to equalise just two minutes into the second period.

Artell told the club’s official website: “George may have struggled to get in the game in the first half on Saturday but that was because we didn’t get the ball to him.

“When we did in that first half, he was aggressive in his play. He went at the full-back and delivered a cross. I thought that was terrific because that is what we wanted him to do. We wanted him to get us on the front foot.

“I think other than one time in the opening five minutes he didn’t let the full-back get in behind him at all. He was very reliable in his defending.

“He was even more positive when we got him the ball in the second half. He then produced a fantastic cross to entice the goalkeeper off his line and he put it on Brad’s head. It was a terrific ball and there are not many players who can do that in our league.

He added: “There is a lot of expectation on George but a lot of things he did for the team on Saturday went unnoticed. I thought he had a really good game in a different way to what we are used to.”