Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell is hoping that the club have developed another close relationship with a Premier League club after hosting Everton Under-21s in the Leasing.com Trophy.

David Unsworth’s Everton side progressed from the group stage following a 2-2 draw at Gresty Road and Artell is hoping that there is potential there to borrow players from the Goodison Park club in the future.

Artell told the club’s official website: “It is good to have a relationship with Premier and Championship clubs and I would say we have established a few good ones now.

“I shared a beer with David (Unsworth) and the Everton staff and it is good to have that link. It is good for us in terms of potential players coming on loan and it could be good for them to get their younger players out as well. It works both ways and it can be important because some of their better ones will be above Under-23s football.

“They have some good players and that is why they are coming through or have come through the Everton Academy.

“If there are chances there then you have to consider it and take it. It can come down to finances and how much of a wage contribution the bigger clubs want for their young players because sometimes we cannot afford to do that.”