David Artell believes that the EFL’s introduction of the new five substitutes allowed rule goes against the integrity of the competition because it has been implemented mid-season.

In his opinion, the Crewe Alexandra boss believes that the ruling should have been made at the beginning of the season because now clubs have played at least 10-12 games.

Artell told the club’s official website: “I think the five subs rule should have come in at the start of the season, not when we have started and played certain teams at certain times. I honestly think that it goes against the integrity of the competition and it shouldn’t have been changed.

“It will certainly benefit the bigger clubs with the bigger squads. Just because a couple of high profile managers have complained in the Premier League about getting injuries, shouldn’t change it.

“We have 29 players here and we have to fulfil all the league games, all the cup competitions, which includes at least 3 group games in the EFL Trophy and then we have to contend with 30 plus Under-23 games as well. It is constant here but we are used to it and rightly or wrongly, we just accept it and get on with it. “