The boss on the development of winger Owen Dale following his nomination for the Player Of The Month award.

David Artell has revealed that Owen Dale thought he might be released when his contract was coming to an end in the April of 2018. Dale had been loaned out to Witton Albion as part of his development and thought that spelt the end of his career at Crewe Alexandra. Artell had to explain to the Academy graduate that the loan spell was all part of his pathway to first-team football and exercised his two-year option on his contract.

Dale, 22, went on to break into Artell’s first-team and has now amassed 79 appearances. His form in December saw him score four goals in four games and be nominated for the Sky Bet League One Player of the Month award.

Artell told the club’s official website: “I remember having a conversation with Owen. He had been on loan at Witton for a few months and was coming to the end of his two year deal. I told him we would be exercising his two-year option.

“He thought he was going to be released and I had to explain to him that wasn’t the case at all and that he was only out on loan so he could get used to men’s football.

“Owen benefitted from his loan spells and it helped with his development. He came back, was introduced slowly and has now gone on again.

“There is still a lot more to come from him. He has to keep on learning and improving and it is up to us as coaches to get more out of him as well.”