Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell believes that Billy Sass-Davies has been presented with the opportunity to really stake his claim for more involvement at first-team level next season. The Wales Youth International made his full league debut in the 2-0 win over Yeovil Town back in April and then started the final away game of the season at Grimsby.

Artell says that with club captain George Ray electing to move on this summer, the opportunity for Sass-Davies to enhance his reputation over the pre-season is there for him.

David told crewealex.net: “With the departures at centre-half there is a great opportunity there for Billy. He has to have a good summer and pre-season and make sure that he is at the forefront of our thinking.

“He is a big, tall boy and has got some skill to go with it. He has to learn the harsh realities of being a centre-half at first team level but his spells out on loan have certainly helped with that. He has to become more seasoned and has been exposed to that on loan, where he did ever so well.”