Artell says young defender heading in the right direction after successful loan spell at Yeovil Town last season.

Centre-half Billy Sass-Davies has been a player in demand recently, but David Artell says the Wales Under-21 International is not available for loan.

Sass-Davies enjoyed a successful loan spell at Yeovil Town last season and his form has seen him earn International honours with Wales at Under-21 level, scoring his first goal in a 4-0 win over Bulgaria.

Sass-Davies, 21, put the disappointment of being harshly sent-off at Hartlepool in the EFL Cup firmly behind him with an excellent display in the back three at Leeds United.

Sass-Davies appreciates that he has battle on his hands to obtain a starting place in Artell’s starting XI with the players currently ahead of him in the pecking order, but the Crewe Alexandra has told the club’s official website that the Abergele-born youngster is ‘seriously knocking on his door’ for a chance.

Artell said of his ever-improving defender: “I have said to Billy that I must have had half a dozen clubs ask about his availability. I have told him that he is going nowhere.

“He is making good progress and I personally believe he is knocking on the door. Before what happened at Hartlepool with the red card, he was commanding in the air and looked assured for those 13 minutes. He did the same at Leeds where he was very good.

“He scored for the Under-23s on Monday but his man scored one at the other end. He also scored one for his country as well, so he is adding that part to his game.

“I spoke to Paul Bodin at Wales and he told me that we were doing great things with him because he is coming along nicely. That is nice to hear.

“He is ready to play first team games now and he has just got to become even more consistent and if he can do that then we will see where he can get to.

He added: “Billy has to keep on working hard and really strive to get into the team and if and when he does, do well enough to stay there.”