Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell admits that it will be disappointing not to have supporters inside the Alexandra Stadium for the visit of Sunderland this weekend.

Lee Johnson will be bringing his promotion chasing side to Crewe for the first time since 2005 and the Alex will be aiming to secure back-to-back home wins after beating Accrington Stanley in mid-week.

Ahead of this weekend’s home game at Gresty Road, the Alex boss told us: “I think everyone is disappointed that there will be no fans inside the ground because we all know how well supported Sunderland are. It would have been great to have their 2,000 plus inside Gresty Road and our fans in there, making it an amazing atmosphere, but it is what it is.

“It will be a really good fixture anyway though with a club the size of Sunderland coming. It is disappointing not to have the fans in but we are also grateful that football has continued. The government realised that football is the national game and plays a part in the mental health of people.

“We are grateful that football has been allowed to carry on because no-one wants what has happened to the North and South in the National League fecently.

“It isn’t the atmosphere we would have wanted but it is still a game to look forward to.”