David Artell admits he will have a chat with centre-half Michael Raynes to help gauge the strengths and weaknesses of Carlisle United. The Crewe boss says he will try and ‘pick Michael’s brain’ ahead of our home game with Keith Curle’s side.

Raynes spent two seasons at Brunton Park, making almost 100 appearances and he was a part of the side that went 21 games unbeaten at the start of last season. The club eventually lost in the play-off semi-final to Exeter City.

Raynes, 29, signed for Crewe in the summer after rejecting an offer from the Cumbrians and has performed admirably at the back, usually alongside Eddie Nolan.

Artell told crewealex.net: “Michael was at Carlisle for two seasons and was part of a successful team. It will be strange for him coming up against his old employer but he will know what he is coming up against.

“He will know their weaknesses and their strengths and that could help us. I will have a chat with him and try to pick his brains a bit.

“Michael would have trained with Shaun (Miller) and know what he is good at and what a good finisher he is. I’m the same because I trained with Shaun when we were players here. He scored a great goal at the weekend and like Michael, he will want to show his former club that he is in form.”