Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has praised the club’s ‘terrific support in numbers’ ahead of this weekend’s Cheshire derby at Macclesfield. Crewe are expected to take over 1,500 supporters to the Moss Rose and Artell says it is important that his players’ use that backing to their advantage.

David told the club’s official website: “The fans have been brilliant and I cannot praise them highly enough, especially those that travel away. I am sure they will say that the performances have not warranted the results we have had but they saw us come back at Morecambe and win at MK Dons, so it is up to us to do it again this weekend.

“Taking 1,500 fans away from home is terrific for a club of our size and it is up to our players to respond to that. Hopefully, we can repay the faith that the travelling contingent have shown by filling the away end.”