David Artell has praised the extraordinary reliability of the experienced Nicky Hunt whenever he is called upon. The former Bolton Wanderers defender has played at right-back and in central defence this season and he featured again on Saturday to help us to a 2-1 win over promotion seeking Mansfield Town.

Hunt, 35, has now made 16 starts for Crewe and a further three as a substitute in all competitions and he has been on the losing side on just five of those occasions.

It is an impressive record and he impressed again at the One Call Stadium after again deputising for the suspended George Ray. The club captain has now served his two game suspension and is again available for the weekend visit of Cheltenham.

Therefore, Artell has a selection to make after Hunt’s recall has seen us end a run of four without a win with back-to-back wins over Crawley and Mansfield.

The boss told crewealex.net: “I am sure we will have to put Nicky in a bin of ice to help with his recovery but he was terrific for us once again.

“He went down with about 15 minutes left with a touch of cramp and we were limited with the defensive options we had on the bench. I was thinking 'come on Hunty' and he got up and saw it through.

“We was terrific against their lively and quick forwards. He knows the game inside out and knows exactly where to stand.”