David Artell says that his squad will see the benefit of having a couple of weeks with a free mid-week programme.

The Alex have fulfilled 28 fixtures this season, more than any other club in League One having quickly re-arranged fixtures against Rochdale and Shrewsbury.

The Crewe Alexandra manager says that it will be beneficial to have time to get a number of our players’ fitter and interlock the new loan players into the way we play.

Artell told the club’s official website: “We have two weeks without a mid-week fixture so that will give us an opportunity to get some of the players’ fitter.

“It will also give us a chance to integrate the loan players into how we play. They will better with that once we do that work and that is not a criticism because they have just arrived.

“It will give us a good opportunity to get them up to speed with things and we will prepare for another tough game against Portsmouth this weekend. “