Full-back got invaluable minutes in behind closed doors practice match but he knows he needs more match sharpness.

Crewe Alexandra’s latest acquisition, Callum McFazdean, gained some valuable game time in a practice game against Aston Villa at the weekend.

The full-back, who signed from Sunderland on Friday on a one-year contract hadn’t played since the end of last season and the behind closed doors game allowed him to play the first half.

The former Plymouth Argyle man is now playing catch-up against missing the majority of the season after becoming David Artell’s fifth summer season.

McFazdean, 27, played 34 games for Sunderland last season, scoring twice.

He was replaced at the interval by Rio Adebisi at left back and he later moved into midfield to give Travis Johnson valuable game time too.