Perry Ng showed that he is more than capable of fulfilling a midfield role after David Artell turned to his captain to play in a central position against Hull City in the EFL Trophy.

Ng is currently serving a league suspension following the incident at the end of our FA Cup tie at Cheltenham Town but was permitted to play in the Papa John’s Trophy at the KCOM Stadium.

Crewe held the current league leaders to a goalless draw before eventually losing  3-2 in the penalty shoot-out to bow out at the knockout stage. Ng had to score his own penalty to keep Crewe in the competition and duly smashed it home past George Long.

David Artell said that the skipper once again showed his ability as a midfielder.

David told the club’s official website: “Perry showed once again that he can play midfield. He was terrific in there for us and he helped the younger ones around him. I couldn’t tell you the average age of the team and I would think that Chris (Porter) added a couple of years onto that, but it was one of the youngest sides I’ve selected I would have thought.

“Pez has played in midfield for us before and he transferred his ability into the centre of the pitch. He was good on those half turns and his distribution was good on the night. He has a good football brain and I am sure he covered more ground than he has all season, so that will be good for him whilst he serves this suspension.

The boss added: “He once again proved that if needed, he can come in and play that role for us and it is another string to his bow.”