Boss says players can handle the demands of the Christmas period.

Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says his players are coping physically with the demands of the festive fixtures.

The Alex boss and his staff have planned for the quick turnaround in games and continue to monitor their exertion statistics and recovery periods.

Crewe will be aiming for a third straight win against Bury tomorrow after festive wins over Lincoln and Stevenage.

The Crewe boss told us: “The demands on the players is the same as it in September when it can be Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday and you have to cope with it. They are professional footballers and know how to handle it.

“We work to a programme so they are getting their rest periods in and physically they are all doing well. They are bound to get one or two knocks but that happens throughout the season and not just over Christmas and New Year.

“Just because people tend to eat pigs-in-blankets rather than salads at this time of the year doesn’t mean it is more taxing. It isn’t. It doesn’t make that much difference and the players will be prepared right.”