Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says that a defensive position may be the way forward for 23 year-old Josh Lundstram.

The Stoke-on-Trent born Lundstram progressed through the Academy ranks as a midfield player but has been a consistent performer at right-back and right wing-back since being called upon in that position following injuries to new full-back signings Tariq Uwakwe and Ryan Alebiosu.

Lundstram, who missed a large chunk of the last campaign due to injury, is aiming to establish himself in Artell’s starting XI and the Crewe boss says that sometimes it is logical for players to play different positions before settling on their best one even at senior level.

Artell told the club’s official website: “In all honesty we are not sure if Josh will end up as a right-back or as a midfielder. We often discuss players and what positions they could possible play. Josh is the same.

“He has come through as a midfield player and I would think that is his preferred position but he has done well at right-back and right wing-back, so that is another string to his bow and we will see.

“We often have introductory positions for players and when they come into the team we may not put them through the spine of the team at least. That is why a centre-back may play at full-back, or a centre-midfielder on one of the sides.

“It may be that they play that position and become so good at it, that they remain there. That is certainly what happened with Pixie (Harry Pickering).

“He came through as an attacking midfielder or number 10 and the notion was he was going to return there but he came into the team at left-back and the rest is history. He was so good there that he stayed there and he will go on to have a great career in that position.”