Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell feels that the recent signings of Olly Lancashire and Daniel Powell will bridge the age gap in his squad. The Alex boss says that the two summer signings so far have the right level of experience from playing at a higher level and arrive at Gresty Road at a good age.

Artell told crewealex.net: “Previously, we have had 19, 20 year-olds and then 32 to 35 years olds in the squad. There was a big gulf in age with the exception of one or two.

“Jordan (Bowery) for example was one of those and Olly and Daniel are both of a good age. We feel they will help address that gap in the dressing room.

“We feel it is important that wherever a player is in term of his age, he has someone to look up to and someone not far behind him coming through.

“Do not think there was a divide or a gap because there wasn’t. It is a very good dressing room and we have some great senior professionals here who know what it is all about and how to approach things. That rubs off on the younger ones.

The boss added: “I think it was important across the board though to have those type of players who have played higher and can help the younger ones with their experience. We have got in another two good characters.”