David Artell says loan players have been excellent in helping us move up the League Two table.

Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has praised the contribution of his loan signings.

Artell lost his main creative player, George Cooper, in January but he reinvested what he had into bringing the vastly experienced Paul Green, our former Academy graduate Shaun Miller, Newcastle United youngsters Jamie Sterry and Daniel Barlaser and the Aston Villa youth striker, Harry McKirdy into the Football Club.

Although things didn’t quite work out for midfielder Barlaser, mainly due to the return to fitness of Ryan Wintle and James Jones, the other four have made key contributions during the second half of the season.

Artell told crewealex.net: “I think we got our recruitment right in January. We were able to bring in some experience by getting Greenie in and Shaun knew all about the club. He is a better player now than when he was here before.

“Greenie has been terrific for us. He has added a calming influence and he is one that the younger players look up to because of the career he has had.

“Shaun has scored some vital goals and has worked extremely hard for the team. Harry McKirdy is the same. He works his socks off and has shown that he can take goal. He is going to have a decent career because he is a goalscorer.

“Jamie has had a thigh strain that has limited his appearances but when he does play he has shown why Newcastle think so highly of him. He is a good footballer and his temperament is good.

“The loan players coming in when they did, improved us. That was what they were meant to do but sometimes it doesn’t work out. They have been excellent for us.”