As he prepares for his final game in a Crewe shirt, boss David Artell says Pickering has everything to handle the step up into the Championship with Blackburn.

David Artell believes that there is even more to come from Harry Pickering once he formally moves to Blackburn Rovers this summer. Pickering is set to make his final appearance for the club against Shrewsbury Town on Sunday before teaming up with the Championship club he agreed to join in January.

Pickering returned to Crewe on loan to see out the remainder of the season and Artell says his attitude throughout has been first class.

Artell told the club’s official website: “There will be more to come from Harry. He is that sort of lad, who wants to strive and get better. He is always looking to improve and making that step up to the Championship will help with that.

“Now, will he hit the ground running and go straight into their team? That remains to be seen but I don’t see any reason why he couldn’t. Perry (Ng) has done that at Cardiff and Harry could follow.

“He is a real good player and he works hard every day. He has an unwavering character and if a winger gets past him, he isn’t fazed, he will just make sure he doesn’t get past him the next time.

“His temperament is first class and he has been outstanding for us. As a captain, he has led by example. He is quiet, but so was Perry and being captain does allow them to come out of their shell a little and become more vocal.

He added: “Harry has done that more and he can only improve that aspect of his game but Blackburn have a real good player on their hands.”