Crewe Alexandra midfielder Paul Green has undergone a scan on his knee and the club are awaiting the results. Green was forced off just before half-time in the 3-1 defeat to Bury on New Year’s Day and was replaced by Tom Lowery.

Green went down clutching his knee after a tackle in the middle of the pitch but he was able to get up and play for a further ten minutes before he made way to the sidelines.

The 35-year-old has only recently returned from a cruciate knee injury sustained against Carlisle United back in August – but it is hoped that his latest set-back is not as bad as feared.

On the influential Green, Artell said: "Paul went down and it took a while to get to his feet.

"He said the lad caught him as he was putting his foot on the floor, and his knee wobbled. He said it just felt a bit loose.

"He said it felt strange, but he said he'd be okay. I called him over and said 'if there's any doubt, I don't want you to be a hero. I want you to be sensible'.

"And he came over a few minutes later and said 'I've got to come off'. That's professional, not stupid. Brave as well, believe it or not.”