Crewe boss welcomes young Boro striker to Gresty Road

David Artell believes that the versatility of the club’s new loan signing, Stephen Walker, will provide a multitude of options in our attacking third. The on-loan youngster from Middlesbrough has a good goalscoring record at Under-23 level and for England’s Youth teams and he can play right across the forward line.

The Crewe Alexandra boss told the club’s official website: “The transfer window is an opportunity to improve and strength and if there is something you can do then we try to do it.

“I won’t bring someone in for the sake of it nor will I bring in a young player from a Premier League or Championship clubs just so he can just get first team experience. I don’t agree with that.

“We have our own youngsters who can do that. We had Regan Griffiths on the bench on Tuesday and Luke Offord made his debut.

“Stephen has come here to get in the team, create and score goals and get us in the top three.

“He has to earn his place and warrant his place. He knows that.”

The boss added: “Stephen had offers from League One clubs and I know that because that has come from more than one source but he was adamant that he wanted to come here. He was impressed with the way we played up there in the Caraboa Cup and we are delighted to have him.”