With Billy Jones returning to his parent club, Rotherham United, due to a knee injury, the door has re-opened for someone in the Alex squad.

Crewe Alexandra boss, David Artell proclaimed earlier in the week that an opportunity will arise for someone to stake their claim in the right-back position.

Youngster Travis Johnson, the on-loan Nathan Wood and the fit-again Donervon Daniels are all possible candidates and Artell says that he would have no qualms about selecting any of the trio for this weekend’s fixture at Swindon.

Johnson has made 11 appearances this season and actually made his league debut away at Swindon last season when coming on as a substitute for Nicky Hunt with just over 20 minutes remaining.

Artell said of the 20-year-old defender: “Travis is still a young lad but he is beyond finding his feet now. He had that last season and he actually came on at Swindon last year, so he wouldn’t be fazed if he is selected again.

“He is a level-headed lad and he has done ever so well. He marked Burton’s best player and then created the best chance of the game against Hull in the Papa John’s Trophy for Ports’ header. It was like that’s it, good lad. It was another progression in his performance.

“He is a great kid. He has had a tough upbringing but he works hard. He is like the other young lads where sometimes you have to go ‘come on you’ but he soon get back on it. That is just not Trav, that happens with most of the younger players.

“We have spoken about emulating Perry (Ng). He knows that he is not there yet but we have spoken about him developing and progressing and if he works as hard as he does then there is no reason why we cannot go on and fill his boots.”