Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says that the increase in Covid-19 cases has not affected his plans for the January transfer window. The Alex boss still expects clubs to allow their fringe players to move out on loan to gain valuable game time and create room for other potential targets within their own squads.

Artell doesn’t believe that clubs are collecting players to make sure they cover any potential absentees due to the virus.

He told Crewealex.net: “In my experience so far in dealing with other clubs and agents over potential players, Covid hasn’t been an issue. It could possibly be if some clubs have been greatly affected by it but I haven’t come across it yet.

“I haven’t had anyone say to me that we are not letting him out or that we are looking to keep him because of the Covid situation. There has been a sense of normality to it and everyone just trying to get on with it.

“There is a sense of everyone doing what is right for their club and it hasn’t greatly affected us. We had a couple of Under-18s off with it before Christmas and Chris Long has had to self-isolate but he will be back this week after coming into contact with someone who tested positive, but that has pretty much been it over the Christmas period.

“The players have been asked to behave properly and not to take any undue risks and the club have put the measures in place to make sure we were ready to play over the festive period, but I also accept that it can change quickly and clubs have had rapid outbreaks too. It can happen because it is very contagious.”