Boss says left-back has the ability to go on and play in the top flight in the future.

David Artell firmly believes that Harry Pickering has the ability ‘to go on and play at the highest level’ after agreeing his deadline day move to Blackburn Rovers.

Pickering will team-up with Rovers next season after agreeing to return to Crewe on loan until the end of the season.

The full-back, who is closing in on 150 appearances for the club will continue at the Alexandra Stadium as a loan player.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Harry is a Championship player and he has proved it with his move. I think he was a Championship player before yesterday as well. I think he has the ability, mentality and attitude to go on again, be it with Blackburn or with someone else in the future.

“He has all the credentials and technique to play at the top level. He is similar to Westy (Ashley Westwood) in that respect and he went from us to Aston Villa and then on Burnley and Pickering could follow him. Westy has made 100s of appearances at the top level and Pixie is in the same mould.

He added: “Westy is an excellent player, there is no doubt about that, and so is Pixie. I think he could go on in the future and emulate what other players have done when moving on from here after coming through our Academy. “