Harry Pickering captained Crewe Alexandra for the first time in his career at Burton Albion on Saturday and David Artell says that the full-back was an obvious choice because he continues to ‘lead by example’.

With Perry Ng suspended for a number of games, Artell had to select a new captain and did not hesitate to give it to another of the club’s Academy graduates.

The boss explained to the club’s official website: “Harry is an exceptional professional and he lives and breathes football.

“If the lads that have played are on a recovery day, he will be out there watching training because he loves football. You don’t have to love football to be captain but it doesn’t half help.

“It goes a really long way and Pixie is in that bracket. He leads by example and one of the things he can improve on is opening his mouth out on the pitch and giving him the armband may help with that.

“It is certainly worth a shot. “