Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell believes that having James Jones back at full fitness will be ‘like signing a new player’ for the new season. The talented midfielder missed the majority of last season due to injury but he did make a successful return to the side at the tail end of the campaign.

The former Scotland Under-21 International netted in the 4-3 away win at Mansfield Town in April and he still managed to make 6 appearances after enduring a nightmarish time with pelvic and then knee problems.

Artell is looking forward to having the 22-year-old back to full fitness for the new season. He told the club’s official website: “It was good to have James available again for the last few games of the season because he had a terrible time with injuries.

“He is a good player and we are all delighted that he decided to stay with us. It will be like signing a new player for next season.

“He scored 11 goals from midfield the season before last and he is always eager to get in the opposition box.

“When we talk about midfield players at this Football Club, Dario used to say that they have to either stop goals, create goals or score goals. James Jones does all three and he also has a good range of passing. He is also accurate from set-pieces and can score from free-kicks.

“I’ve already said that if he you are talking about the top five or six midfield players in this league then James is right up there with them.”