CREWE Alex players have headed for a prestigious independent school to continue their pre-season preparations against Premiership opponents.

The Railwaymen square up to Steve Bruce's Newcastle United behind closed doors this afternoon at Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate's sports village.

The educational establishment, near York, will provide a unique setting for Dave Artell's team, who are on their travels all week with a game against Wolves under-23s scheduled at Lilleshall tomorrow (Wednesday) as well as a warm-up against Bolton, now in League Two, at the University of Bolton Stadium on Friday.

Crewe went down to a 2-0 defeat against Championship Barnsley at Gresty Road last Saturday.

The Yorkshire trip offers an interesting change for Artell's players who have played the majority of their warm-up games behind closed doors at their Reaseheath training ground.

Queen Ethelburga's Collegiate is an independent day and boarding school set in 220 acres of country park where the Toon have been based since the middle of last week.

Bruce signed Irish international midfielder Jeff Hendrick yesterday and while it is not clear if the former Burnley man will be involved, Artell can expect tough opposition as Toon skipper Jamaal Lascelles, Paul Dummett and Ciaran Clark, who all missed last season's restart, are expected to play while young defender Daniel Barlaser, who spent time on loan at Crewe during the 2017/18 season, could also feature.