Corey Whelan says that he 'snatched at the chance' to re-join the club where it all started for him as an Academy youngster. The Chester-based defender started his youth career with Crewe’s Academy before being tempted away to join his boyhood club Liverpool at the age of ten.

Whelan, who has been a regular for Neil Critchley’s Development Squad at Liverpool made an impressive debut in the goalless draw at Cheltenham at the weekend and now the Republic of Ireland Under-21 International is hoping to taste the atmosphere of our local derby with Port Vale this weekend.

Corey told iFollow The Alex: “I was here as a young lad, I'm familiar with the set-up. As soon as the opportunity came to come back I snatched at it.

“Some of the old faces are still here in the coaching ranks and I was in the same age group as Callum Ainley and Chalrie Kirk. I have been away for over ten years, but it was nice to come back into it.

“It is always something I wanted to do, because this is where it all started for me. Crewe were the club that introduced me to the game.

"People are playing for their careers here. At Liverpool, are they playing for their careers? Not necessarily. It's a development stage.

"When you are playing for three points in front of a crowd on a Saturday it makes it more important.”

Whelan knows that they don’t come any bigger for Crewe than a local derby against Port Vale this weekend.

He said: “I know all about the rivalry. I didn’t need the lads to tell me because I have always been aware of it. It is the game all the fans and players look forward to and if I am selected Saturday, then it is one I look forward to playing in.

“If we get our minds right and start well, like we intend to do then hopefully we will go on to win the game.

“Crewe are unbeaten at home this season, so we want to keep that run going and build some momentum.”