Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell says he will warn his players about someone stepping up to the plate in the absence of Ollie Palmer.

Palmer, 26, has scored 11 goals in all competitions this season but he will serve a one match suspension after collecting five bookings.

Artell knows from experience that one person’s misfortune is another man’s opportunity. Ahead of our trip to the Broadway Stadium, Artell said: “When someone is missing for whatever reason, you have to be wary of someone else stepping up the plate and grasping their opportunity.

“We have to make sure that doesn’t happen. Whoever comes in for Palmer will see it as their chance, so we have to prevent them emerging from his shadow.

“We know that if we are on our game then we are the match for everyone. Crawley have a half decent home record, so we know it will be a test.

He added: “Our away form has improved of late and we will see it as a winnable game and I’m sure Crawley will be thinking the same.”