Boss has upmost respect for Burton stopper after his years with us but he says still right decision to allow him to see his contract out.

Burton Albion goalkeeper Ben Garratt will be hoping for a clean-sheet on his first return to Gresty Road this weekend.

Garratt, 26, has established himself as number one under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and has helped the club transform results in recent weeks. Burton will arrive in South Cheshire on the back of five straight wins and are the in-form side in the division.

Garratt made over 250 appearances for Crewe after coming through the club’s renowned Academy and will be looking to retain the number one shirt with the Brewers after displacing the former Manchester United youngster Kieran O’Hara.

Ahead of our intriguing League meeting this weekend, David Artell told the club’s official website: “Ben was an absolute top professional. He is a lovely lad, a great lad and his professionalism was right up there when he was here.

“If we had a lot of money at the time, then maybe we might have still been here but we didn’t and I think it has been proven that he made the right decision because we have good two goalkeepers.

“It was a tough decision to make at the time. There was a lot of talk at the time if it was the right or wrong decision and that is why those tough decisions have to be made. I don’t think we have missed him too much with the keepers we have but we don’t forget what a servant he was for our club.

“Ben has shown that he is good enough for League One and everyone here is delighted that he go he move to Burton and is back playing again.  

“Hopefully, we will get a chance to have a chat and see how he is getting on. I wish him all the luck in the world, just not between 3-5pm this weekend.”