David Artell says it is unlikely that any of the players that struggled to be fit for the seasonal opener against Lincoln City in the League Cup will recover sufficiently to face Bolton Wanderers in tomorrow night’s Checkatrade Trophy tie.

Crewe were without nine senior players due to niggling injuries and with goalkeeper, Will Jaaskelainen away on International duty with Finland. The Crewe boss will give his injured as much time as possible to prove their fitness but he stresses that there has not been great improvement coming out of the treatment room.

Artell says that with key players missing at the moment, the door of opportunity is really there for others.

“Of course there was an element to it on Saturday with the players we had missing but they weren’t fit and they have to get fit, ‘said Artell.

“We need them to fit. Are they are going to be fit for Bolton tomorrow? It looks unlikely because the turnaround is short but with that a door opens for someone else.

“It is always the same; they have be ready because there are no barriers to prevent you playing for the first team here if you are good enough. It is about taking those chances when they do come along.

“Those opportunities knocked last year in the cup competitions. Rio (Adebisi) played against Villa in the League Cup. Travis (Johnson) played at Mansfield and then ended up making his league debut away at Swindon.

The boss added: “Billy (Sass-Davies) had to be ready on Saturday and he was. He did fine and scored his first goal. When those opportunities come along they have to be ready.”