Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell believes that his young striker Lewis Reilly is ‘the best finisher at the club’ and he says the Liverpudlian is doing everything right to make sure he is given another opportunity at first-team level.

Reilly, 18, has only been given a couple of minutes against Newcastle United U-23s in the Checkatrade Trophy this season but his continued goalscoring form for our Development Squad is certainly catching the eye. Reilly was on target once again for Alex Morris’ side against Burnley on Monday afternoon.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Lewis is the best finisher at the club and I would say that with our three senior strikers in the room as well. He is a natural finisher and that is a talent you cannot often buy.

“He seems to know exactly where the goal is and he has scored a lot of goals at Youth level. It is remarkable when you consider that he played most of his Academy football as a centre midfielder. It was only when the coaches here felt he didn’t have the athleticism to get around the pitch enough that we switched him to centre-forward. They saw him as another Rickie Lambert.

“His genetics mean he won’t be a ratter like Dagnall or physically as good as Bowery or Porter but he could be our Billy Kee. We know how good Billy is, he is one of the best forwards in the lower leagues. Lewis could be that.

“I am delighted with the way he is going. He wants to do well. He is a tough Scouser and knows what he wants. His mentality is good.

"He scored a hatful at Radcliffe last season and they were desperate to keep him but he went above that level.

Dave added: “I don’t think a loan would suit him at the moment. He has to keep doing what he is doing and his chance will come. I don’t want to big him up too much but he is coming along really nicely. He has to keep it going.”