David Artell says that young professionals Regan Griffiths and Billy Sass-Davies have to do everything they can to establish themselves in his first team squad next season.

Billy has returned from his successful loan spell in the National League with Yeovil and Regan is continuing his spell with Notts County after progressing into the play-offs. The experience of first-team football will only have benefitted them as they aim to make that ultimate break through at first team level.

Sass-Davies made 22 appearances for the Glovers after signing on loan in February. He had previously spent time out on loan at Altrincham where he made a further 7 games. With his early appearances for Crewe at the beginning of last season, Sass-Davies made a total of 33 appearances in all competitions.

The 21-year-old, Wales youth international, will now be aiming to have a positive pre-season.

Midfielder Griffiths has made 11 appearances so far at Notts County. The 21-year-old made his senior debut for Crewe last season when starting against Shrewsbury in the Football League Trophy and briefly as a substitute in the league against Portsmouth.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Those lads going out on loan will have done wonders for their development. It is all part of their pathway and we try to place them in the right clubs to make sure they are expose to that experience.

“Going out has paid off for Owen (Dale), Luke (Offord), Will (Jaaskelainen) has gone out a few times, Josh (Lundstram) won a promotion at Altrincham.

“We will look to get more of the younger ones out again if we can and we feel they will benefit. Joe (Robbins) got some experience at Altrincham and there others we could look at.

“Billy and Regan have had a real taste of competitive football and they have to come back now and try and force their way in. That is the challenge now. They have do everything they can to establish themselves in the squad and then the team.”