Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has told the club’s official website that Michael Nottingham was in a ‘no lose situation’ when joining us on loan back in January. The Blackpool defender arrived at the turn of the year to compensate for the injured Olly Lancashire and Eddie Nolan and he soon established a commanding partnership at the back with emerging youngster, Luke Offord.

Nottingham would have been a potential permanent signing this summer but with a change of manager occurring at Blackpool with our former coach, Neil Critchley, coming in from Liverpool, a contract extension has been triggered by the Seasiders.

Artell informed crewealex.net: “Michael was in a no lose situation. Blackpool had an option on him, which he told us about when he came here.

“So, we always knew that the initial decision would be out of our hands and out of Michael hands. Michael didn’t think he would get the extension because he hasn’t been playing there and his money would go up significantly, but Critch has decided to do that, so that is brilliant news for Michael and we wish all him the best.

“Yeah, we miss out but we move on. We were without him for a lot of games last year and I think we had him for about 9 games, so he is not irreplaceable.

“We will need someone in that position but I am not overly worried.”