Weekend fixture in doubt over player strike action.

David Artell says he will prepare his squad as normal for this weekend’s South Cheshire derby at Macclesfield and wait for someone to tell him if the game is on or not.

The unpaid Macclesfield players are currently on strike thus putting this weekend’s fixture at Moss Rose in doubt.

Artell says that our preparation will not alter until we are told otherwise.

The Crewe boss told the club’s official website: “All we can do is prepare the same way as we always do and wait for someone to inform us what is going on.

“You read things in the press and hear the odd thing in the game but I just hope that the players and staff get paid, especially at this time of the year. It is a horrible situation to be in and I hope they can find a solution and provide for their families.

“I’ve been there as a player at Chester. I wasn’t paid for two months and it is not nice going home to the wife and telling her that you are not being paid when there were promises there that you would be. I ran up bank charges and had to swallow it.

“There were rumours and problems at Macclesfield last year and it has carried on. They have had a good season on the pitch I must say and great credit to them.

“I wish them well just after Saturday.”