Michael Raynes’ one match suspension will open the door for somebody else to stake his claim for a first-team place. The Crewe skipper was sent-off for bookable offences against Accrington Stanley on Saturday and will miss this weekend’s trip to Colchester United.

The Crewe Alexandra boss says it will be an opportunity for someone to step up to the challenge, much in the same way we did away at Port Vale when Raynes was missing through a slight injury. Crewe won 1-0 that day at Vale Park and that remains our only win on the road this season.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Michael is one of the squad. He is the same as anybody else and certainly does not make the team. He missed the Port Vale earlier in the season and we went to our rivals, won the game and kept a clean-sheet.

“No one player makes our team. I’ve always said that we will need the squad and there are no excuses and it will be an opportunity for someone else.

He added: “We have options and we have to cope with one missing.”