David Artell says that the challenge for the club’s young professionals, Regan Griffiths, Billy Sass-Davies and Josh Lundstram now has to be breaking into his first-team plans.

All three of the club’s former Academy graduates have agreed contract extensions this summer and Artell says that having a taste of first-team football and in Sass-Davies’ and Griffiths’ playing out on loan in the National League last season, will only enhance their progress.

Midfielder Lundstram broke into the first-team picture at the beginning of last season and he would surely have played a number of games but for the stress-fracture of the ankle he suffered in September against Newcastle United Under-21s in the Football League Trophy.

Artell told crewealex.net: “The three lads have all had a taste of it now. Billy and Josh started the season in and around the team and Regan did very well against Hull in a Papa John’s game.

“Regan and Billy played in the National League and both did well. Now they have to come back and challenge for a place in the first team squad.

“They are all coming along nicely and now they have to step up again.

The boss added: “They have to play games. Travis played a dozen or so games last season and that is what the three lads have to aim for going into the new season.”