DAVE Artell branded the tackle which resulted in a broken leg for Oli Finney at Shrewsbury on Tuesday night as "horrific".

The midfielder was the victim of a late tackle from Salop's Harry Chapman late on in Crewe's 1-0 win at the New Meadow. After the game Artell described the challenge from the on-loan Blackburn Rovers attacker as a "naughty one" and the extent of the injury has become clear.

Chapman was booked for the challenge, but the Crewe boss says "the intent was clear" and a red card should have been produced.

He now faces having to do without Finney's growing influence in the middle of the park as well as in and around the box where the 23-year-old's eye for a chance has seen him contribute eight goals this term.

"It was a horrific tackle which has broken his leg," confirmed Artell. "The referee ran straight past Oli and there had been another one in the first half on Omar Beckles.

"There was intent. I've been in the game long enough to know there was intent, intent to stop him and the ref gave a yellow card.

"I've spoken to Oli's mum this morning and the family are devastated for him.

"We have had an email from the refereeing body saying it was probably a red card, it was horrific."

While Finney's loss will be a big blow for Crewe, they have made provisions for the effects of a packed fixture list and among their January loan deals Antony Evans has arrived from German outfit Paderborn.

The former Everton youngster has a reputation for getting forward from the middle, while Tommy Lowery is back to fitness after being laid low by Covid-19, and took over from Finney at Shrewsbury.

Elsewhere, the hamstring tweak that kept Charlie Kirk out of the midweek game has cleared up and he and Billy Jones will be available for the trip to Peterborough tomorrow (Saturday).

Kirk was subject to a deadline-day bid (on Monday) from Charlton Athletic, but Artell has revealed the attacker, who signed a new three-year deal at Gresty Road last summer, had no wish to move to the capital.

"There was a significant offer from a League One club, but our player didn't want to go and we didn't want to lose him. It was a no brainer and that was the end of it," added Artell.