Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has told the club’s official website that he will need all his players for the busy run-in to the end of the season. With an Easter double header against Barnet and Port Vale coming up, Artell will assess his options for the two matches on Good Friday and Easter Monday.

Artell has told all of his squad that they have to fit and ready if called upon with the games coming thick and fast at first-team and Under-23 level.

David told the club’s official website: “The players will get plenty of opportunities to play games with the fixtures we have at first-team level and with the Under-23s.

“We are playing Friday, Monday, Wednesday and Friday with the 23s, and Saturday. We will have to manage the fitness levels because there is going to ample opportunities.

“I’ve said it before that players’ are self-employed. They have to look after themselves. We will help them as much as we can but ultimately it is down to them.

“You saw the level of professionalism with Michael Raynes last week at Newport. He came on for the closing stages and he was terrific for us. He came on to head the ball out of our box and do his job.

“It was the same with Jonah coming on at half-time. It wasn’t an ideal game for passing midfielders but he came on and was disciplined in his defending and helped us get a result.

“All I will say to the players is to make sure they are in the best shape they can be because we will need everyone.”