Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has revealed that the on-loan midfielder Daniel Barlaser has returned to his parent club after failing to get ahead of Callum Ainley and Charlie Kirk in his starting line-up. Barlaser has returned to Newcastle United to play Under-23 football after making four appearances for the Railwaymen.

The skilful midfielder, 21, struggled to break into David Artell’s first-team mainly due to the recent form of the Alex youngsters.

Artell explained: “I spoke to Dan and to Newcastle and explained that those ahead of him in the team didn’t deserve to not be playing. Dan said he wasn’t playing enough and I had to agree with him.

“It was just a question of those lads ahead of him doing well. Dan had done well but not well enough to get past Callum and Charlie.

“He played some Under-23 games for us and when I spoke to Newcastle about the situation, they thought it was better for him to return there and play Under-23 football for them. That was fine and it was all amicable. We all wish him well.

The boss added: “Daniel is a very good professional and a good footballer. I’m sure he will probably go out on loan and do very for someone next season because he probably won’t have a Kirk or Ainley ahead of him.”