David Artell says that summer signing Daniel Powell once again showed that he can be a real threat in and around the opposition penalty area as the focal point of the attack.

Powell joined the club from Northampton Town this summer as a direct replacement for the outgoing Jordan Bowery and the 28-year-old has scored three goals in his two pre-season outings so far.

He shrugged off a slight back injury to lead the line in the 3-0 win over Witton Albion last night, scoring a brace in our latest run out. The striker headed home superbly for his first goal and then struck another from just inside the box after being found by James Jones for his second goal.

Powell left the field shortly afterwards to be replaced by young Owen Dale and have a deserved breather.

The Crewe boss told the club’s official website: “Daniel look a threat in and around the box again and that is why we brought him to the club.

“He isn’t going to score 30-yarders every week but he has the ability to run in behind and get in good positions. He scored one with his head and then showed a nice turn and shot for his second goal.

“We know he is going to be a handful for defenders and he has to keep on doing what he is doing.

“I am sure we will work with him and improve him as a player. The term manager is a loose one at this football club. I think as a Crewe manager you are more of an educator and teacher. We will all work with Daniel to try and make him a better player and more effective.

“If we can manage that then him scoring more goals and us winning more games is a by-product of that.”