Boss delighted to have experienced forward back in contention

Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell says that due to his good injury record, Christopher Long has found it difficult to be on the sidelines for much of his time with us. Long joined in the summer after a successful stint in Scotland with Motherwell but after a good pre-season, the 26 year-old former Everton trainee has been limited to just two appearances.

The Huyton-born forward has been hampered by injury and illness in the early part of the season but he is now fully immersed in training and is back in contention for this weekend’s trip to his former club Fleetwood.  

Artell told the club’s official website: “Longy has never been out so long in his career and he has found it very difficult to be out.

“He has found it tough to get his head around it because he has always been fit and playing in his career. He is 26 now and is bound to pick up niggles. That happens.

“He is fine. He has trained well over a week or so and that is credit to Tom (Ryan) and Steve (Phillips) and the background team there.

“Anyone who saw Chris in pre-season would see he is lively. He works his socks off and is a goalscorer. He is a scouser and he is tough and he has all the attributes. You don’t go for  £1million early in your career if you don’t have the pedigree and he is chomping at the bit to be involved.

“I think we are all looking forward to seeing him play.”