Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell has confirmed that Eddie Nolan’s meeting with a back specialist ‘went as well as it possibly could have on Monday’.

The Irish defender has been struggling with a trapped nerve in his back and that has impinged on the strength going through his leg. Nolan has not featured since Christmas but he and the club have received some encouraging news on his recovery.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Eddie revisited the back specialist on Monday and it went as well as it possibly could. The news has perked Eddie up and he is doing everything he can to get back.

“The specialist is really pleased with his progress and he will go back in two weeks for another scan. He is progressing really well and it will be three weeks minimum and that’s me being overly optimistic.

“It is good news though and there are plenty of things he can do and has been doing. Eddie has been doing that religiously and that is why he has made the progress he has. The consultant is more than happy with what she saw.

“It is not terminal and not for the season and that is great news. We were chuffed with what we heard.”