DAVE Artell says Crewe's players shouldn't be daunted by their trip to Hull City although the manager admits he was swooning over the former Championship side when he caught them in midweek action.

Grant McCann's side saw off Premiership newcomers Leeds in a Caraboa Cup penalty shoot-out on Wednesday night (9-8 after a 1-1 draw at Elland Road) ahead of the League One clash with the Alex who will be making their first visit since March 2006.

Artell drew positives from last Saturday's opening day defeat at the hands of Charlton and says despite Hull's impressive mid-week showing his players should not be fazed by the task lying ahead tomorrow afternoon.

"Hull were very impressive on the night and to be honest they were all over Leeds from the first minute and it was a bit of a travesty that it went to penalties. They were a Championship team last season, so we've got make sure we turn up," said the Crewe boss.

"But we've got good enough players and we saw that last year at Middlesbrough (in the Caraboa Cup) and we fully believe that we're got enough in our dressing room to get the best out of them.

"We have been to stadiums like theirs and given good accounts of ourselves. They are a big club that is set up for success."

Artell has some positive news from the treatment room, although it is unlikely to affect his selection issues at the KCOM Stadium.

Defensive signing Donervon Daniels has been doing some light training, while striker Chris Porter and young defender Rio Adebisi are making progress.

The major development has been the return to training of midfielder Tommy Lowery, who underwent hernia surgery during lockdown.

Lowery has completed an extensive rehab programme and Artell says the club's medics are monitoring his return to action cautiously.

"He's trained which is a boost to us all. But we have had hernias before that have extended. There's light at the end of the tunnel, but I don't want to put pressure on Tom because he has not had a pre-season so I don't expect to see him tomorrow or next week - we have got to get him right," stressed Artell.

Tomorrow's game is back behind-closed-doors because of public health guidance in the Humberside area. Alex fans can buy streaming passes at a £10 cost here.