David Artell has told the club’s official website that he will be approaching today’s Checkatrade Trophy tie against Port Vale like any other game. Crewe Alexandra are already out of the competition after previously losing their last two group matches against Newcastle United’s U-23s and Oldham Athletic but our near neighbours can still qualify from the group stage.

Artell has hinted about giving some of his fringe contingent some game time but says he is looking to follow up our FA Cup win over Rotherham with another victory at Vale Park.

Ahead of tonight’s clash, Artell said: “Anyone given a chance tonight has the opportunity to show that they should be in the team. They have got to perform because every day is an opportunity. There is no better opportunity than in a local derby away from home.

“We will approach the game like any other game. We won’t be selling ourselves short. We want to win again and build some momentum. Anything else would be unprofessional.

“It is a derby game and there is that local rivalry at stake. It is what it is in terms of us having nothing to play for in relation to progressing, but they need a result to get through so that makes it competitive.

“We want to win the game and try and get that winning habit going again. We have been too patchy in terms of our results. We seem to win won, lose one, win one, lose two. We need to get back to not getting beat.”