Crewe Alexandra’s assistant manager, Kenny Lunt, says that Tuesday night’s Papa John’s Trophy tie is an opportunity for others to stake their claim for a first-team shirt and build morale in the wake of four defeats in League One.

Lunt says the club wants to be competitive in all competitions this season and has hinted that David Artell will name a strong team for our trip to the Montgomery Waters Meadow.

Lunt told the club’s official website: “Every game is important and we want to win every game we play. Now that is not always possible, but we need to start scoring goals and winning games of football so there is no better place to start than at Shrewsbury.

“It will perhaps give some others a chance and they have to take it. They have to perform well enough to keep the shirt for the next league game, which is also at Shrewsbury.

“It is important that they take this as an opportunity and try and secure a shirt.“