Connor O'Riordan has made such a promising start to his inclusion at first-team level.

Local lad Connor O’Riordan is hopeful that he will be presented with more opportunities at first team level after impressing in the Papa John’s Trophy games against Doncaster Rovers and Rotherham United.

The Crewe born centre-half has stepped up from Under-18 and Under-23 football and shown that he can handle that progression with impressive and assured displays in a back three.

The Academy graduate, who has been with the club since the age of 6, is now targeting a league debut before the end of the season and says that the progress of Zac Williams into the first-team is evidence of grabbing those chances when they arise.

O’Riordan told the club’s official website: “It is a big step up from Under-18 and Under-23 football. The intensity is a lot higher and the players are better but it is a good test and I want to do as well as I can and play more.

“When I knew that the likes of Smith and Grigg were starting (for Rotherham) I just saw it as a challenge because they have scored a lot of goals between them during their careers. I just thought if I can do well against this pairing then they are not many better in the league. Hopefully it means that I can do alright again against other League One forwards.

“I am a local lad and it is even more special to play for my local team. I have family and friends who come to the games and I live literally five minutes from the Stadium, so it is great.

“I am just seeing it that every chance I get I have to impress. You have to take those opportunities and hopefully I will get more chances to play during the season.

He added: “Zac has done brilliantly and he has shown that it is about taking those chances. He is a great player and what he has achieved just serves as motivation to follow in his footsteps.

“Zac did well in the Papa John’s Trophy to earn his League debut and hopefully I can replicate what he has done and take my opportunities too.”