David Artell is hoping that midfielder James Jones will give the green light to return to full training soon. The Scotland Under-21 has not featured his season after undergoing a hernia operation in the summer, but he has now got a period of stamina work under his belt after resuming running with the club’s fitness coaches.

Artell has told the club’s official website that he is now just waiting for Jones to resume training.

The Crewe boss said:  “James has been out running for 10, 12 days now, so I am just waiting for him to give the go ahead to re-join us. It is as simple as that.

“He knows his body better than anyone. He knows it better than me and the physio, so when he feels ready I’m sure he will join us again. I am relaxed about it.

“When he is right then he will be back. If he thinks he needs more time and more conditioning then that will be down to him.”