David Artell is predicting a big season coming up for attack-minded midfielder Oli Finney. With veteran campaigner Paul Green leaving Gresty Road this summer, Artell has challenged Finney to make an even bigger impact than he did last term and really establish himself as a first-team regular.

Finney, 22, made 26 appearances during the last campaign, scoring six goals from midfield, including a stunning winner away at Walsall.

Artell believes that the progress the Staffordshire-based youngster has made is testimony to his determination to turn his career around. Finney recently had a new contract triggered by the Football Club.

The Crewe Alexandra boss told us: “Oli went out twice on loan and didn’t do too well prompted us to say ‘come on you have got to do better, you are not in last chance saloon but you are not far off’.

“He did terrific. He did terrific to turn his career around and that is a bit unfair on him but he was drifting into oblivion.

“He has some real ability and a knack of scoring goals. He has had a good season, I’m not sure how many games he did play but it was 20 odd and now he has another big season ahead of him.

“This coming season has got to be his real breakthrough season where he says that one of those positions is his now or at least he is sharing it, as opposed to coming in and then out.

He added: “That’s the next step for Oli but that has only come out of his experiences out on loan and the work he has put in.”