Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell says that his defensive options may be stretched at the moment but that is part and parcel of football.

The Alex are currently without the injured Eddie Nolan, Olly Lancashire and Rio Adebisi and they are hoping that centre-halves, Nicky Hunt and Billy Sass-Davies will train ahead of this weekend’s home fixture against Cheltenham after recently picking up slight injuries.

The Crewe boss is still looking to recruit in the January transfer window with a centre-half his top priority.

David told crewealex.net: “The squad may be stretched at the moment in terms of fit defenders but that is not uncommon at this time of the year and the number of games they have to get through. It is nothing new and it is just football. There is not a lot you can do about it.

“We are no different and if someone doesn’t play then it is a chance for someone else.

“It was the same last year, when we lost Paul Green. We were without Chris (Porter) for part of the season. You just have to get on with it.”