David Artell has warned those young players going out of contract this summer that the ‘grass is not always greener on the other side’.

The Crewe boss is determined to convince the likes of James Jones, Charlie Kirk and Callum Ainley that their immediate future should remain at Gresty Road and he says that the club is unique in giving youngsters a chance at first-team level.

Artell has branded talks as ‘promising’ but nothing has been finalised one way or another as yet for those young players heading into the final months of their current deals.

David told us: “I can only reiterate what we do for young players at this football club. They have to realise the opportunities we give our young players doesn’t happen at every other football club. It just doesn’t because their business models are very different to ours.

“They have to understand that they get great opportunities here to play and make mistakes at first-team level. We don’t give up easily on our young players.

“Now, if they feel they can play higher and make an impression then they better be ready. It is one thing stepping up a level, but another to hit the ground running and make an impression. The grass is not always greener and we have had a recent case where it hasn’t quite gone smoothly for him.

“If you don’t go and make an impression then your career can flat-line very quickly. You may find yourself even lower than when you started and you have to be careful not to have a dip.

The boss added: “They have to be ready and they have to understand that. Their agents or whoever may feel differently but there are examples out there.”