Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell has revealed that Callum Ainley has not suffered an injury and that he was going to be withdrawn anyway in our 3-0 win over Macclesfield Town at the weekend.

Ainley received a hefty whack in the middle of the pitch, as he played in James Jones in the build up to our third goal and was replaced for defender Michael Raynes soon after. Artell has noted that the change was tactical as Macclesfield elected to go more direct to try and find a way back into the contest. Crewe went to a back five with Raynes offering extra height against the towering Smith and Blissett in the Macc attack.

Artell told crewealex.net: “Callum is alright. He is a tough lad and he is used to getting whack every game. He just gets up and gets on with it. He is absolutely fine.

“We were going to take him off anyway. It was a tactical decision and we did it after the third goal. Callum is fine and in contention for tomorrow night.”