Boss praise for Academy graduate after we as thrust into action against Oxford following injury to Tariq Uwakwe.

Crewe Alexandra manager, David Artell, praised the individual performance of Josh Lundstram after he was forced into action after just half an hour against Oxford United.

Lundstram,23, was called upon to operate at right-back after new signing Tariq Uwakwe was forced off with injury. Travis Johnson switched over to the left hand side.

Midfielder Lundstram performed admirably in an unfamiliar position and was voted as the sponsors Man-of-the-Match in the 1-0 defeat to Oxford United.

Artell told the club’s official website: “I thought it was a terrific performance from Josh coming off the bench. It was an unfamiliar position for him as well and I thought he was excellent there.

“That is what you want to see from a substitute, he grabbed it by the scruff of the night and played well and that is all you can ask.

“He was doing well before he suffered the fracture last season and that set him back, but he has worked hard to try and get back to that level. Hopefully that can be a start of run of games for him and he can show his ability and consistency again.”