David Artell says that he will continue to be ‘bold’ when it comes to offering our potential starlets new contracts. The Crewe Alexandra boss recently secured the services of young midfielder Tom Lowery on a new deal and he wants the likes of George Cooper and Callum Ainley to hopefully follow suit.

Having worked within the club’s Academy structure himself, Artell appreciates the need to protect our main assets from leaving for just EPPP compensation levels.

The Crewe boss said: “We are governed in many respects by their ages. They can look to move abroad or move up to Scotland if they reach 23, and that has been levelled at the club in the past, or wait until 24 when Johnny Bosman raises his head.

“What we have to do is make sure that we protect our assets and make sure they don’t walk away for nothing or near to nothing. We cannot afford for them to leave us for a less valuation than what we think they are worth.

“We have got to look after our own interests and have more control of that. It may us being bold with who we offer contracts to and who may potentially be worth something. It is like everything, some we will get right and some we won’t.

“It is never straightforward but there is no reason why as a club, we can't be the ones who decide when our players move."