Alex Morris has admitted he was ‘economical with the truth’ earlier this year, as he tried to give teenagers Joel Tabiner and Charlie Finney time to develop.

During the summer, the manager suggested that the 18-year-olds might need to go out on loan before being considered for first-team action at Crewe Alexandra.

But he says the reality was that he was trying to lower the expectations placed on two first-year professionals.

Now Morris says the pair are under consideration to start games for the club – but warned that patience remains key as he and his backroom staff make judgement calls.

Morris explained: “There was no way either of them were going to be ready to start games at the start of the season.

“I was a bit economical with the truth when I said in the summer they might need a loan before being part of the first-team picture – I didn’t really believe that but I wanted to dampen down the external expectations on them.

“They needed, and still need, time to breathe and grow.

"As first-year pros they are well ahead of the curve, but we know how to manage them - we’ve been part of integrating scores of players from our academy into the first-team environment.

“We spot the signs and can judge it, and they are getting closer and closer. We know where their progress is at and where it needs to get to.

"Both of those boys are now in full consideration to start games of football.”