David Artell is pleased that his in-form winger Charlie Kirk is getting his just rewards for getting himself in the opposition penalty area. Kirk scored his seventh goal of the season on Saturday with a close range header in the 2-1 win over Colchester United and Artell firmly believes that its Kirk’s extra desire to get into the box that has seen such an improvement in his goal tally.

The Crewe boss told the club’s official website: “Charlie was in there again at the far post to get his goal. We have told him to get in the box as much as he can because that is where he is going to score his goals.

“He came off on Saturday and I said to them where did you score your goal? And he just nodded and said 'yeah I know'.

“There it is, we are not lying to him or trying to kid him on. He has to keep getting in there and that is the tough part. You can say get in the box and you will score goals but it is about them making those runs time and time again.

“If he keeps ghosting in there then he will keep on getting his goals. His return over the last twelve months is a good one for a winger and he has to keep it going.”