David Artell believes that no-one would have predicted his 18-man squad against Shrewsbury Town on Saturday if you had tried to at the beginning of the season, but the Alex boss says that goes to show how well the club’s youngsters have done in pushing themselves forward and on the flip side how short we have been for numbers in recent weeks.

Artell named 13 former Academy graduates in his matchday squad and was forced to name three scholars on the bench, who had been involved with the Youth Team on the Friday night at Leicester City. Most of that youth team also had to play against Alsager Town in the Cheshire Senior cup last night. Crewe comfortably won the tie 4-0 thanks to two goals apiece from Connor Sailsbury and Tyreece Onyeka.

Ahead of the first-team trip to Cambridge this weekend, Artell told the club’s official website: “I don’t think there would have been anyone who wouldhave predicted the 18 in the squad against Shrewsbury from the summer, but it is what it is.

“We have been a bit light of late with players out injured or having to self-isolate but that is where we are at the moment. That looks like it will improve for the weekend because we are set to have a few of them back.

“We know that we are one training session or game away from injuries, so we are doing everything we possibly can to get more in. Until then, its needs must and if that means going with some of the younger ones in the squad then we will.”