DAVE Artell believes he has assembled the "strongest" squad of his three-year tenure at Gresty Road.

The Alex boss could afford to have experienced hands Luke Murphy and Chris Porter on the bench in the weekend win at Doncaster Rovers such is the level of competition for places.

Defenders Eddie Nolan and Olly Lancashire were told they could move on ahead of this month's transfer deadline and while neither did, Artell is more inclined to look at the club's young blood now with Luke Offord establishing himself in the centre of defence and Billy Sass Davies and Travis Johnson on the fringes.

Ahead of tomorrow's visit of League One leaders Lincoln City, Artell said: "It's the strongest squad since I've been manager and we feel that whatever team we pick we're going to have a chance in every game.

"We've got young players like Josh Lundstram and Travis Johnson who are around the team - we've got some depth a long way down. Whatever team we pick we know what we're going to get from them all in terms of effort."

The precarious balance of developing youth players and maintaining their wellbeing has been thrown into stark light by the death of 17-year-old former Manchester academy player Jeremy Wisten.

Artell says clubs need to be more selective with the numbers of youngsters coming through their set-ups so they can keep a close watch on mental health issues and minimise the disappointments when young footballers are let go.

"When you're in the system you can get lost, there's too many players in it. We have 10 under-9s players and one team for seven and eight-a-side games. But we have been asked for six games by Premier clubs which means they must have 60/70 players at under-9 - that to me is football trafficking.

"When they get to 17 you're in a big pool and promised the earth all the way through and then suddenly it dawns on you that you won't be given the love and attention you need.

"If you don't show that support they have a great danger of falling off the tracks.

"They're in too big a group. It's so they (Premier clubs) can put 20 of them out on loan at 18/19.

"If you don't get to know the players they've not got a chance. You need to find time for them because ultimately life is more precious than football."

Artell has noted the improvements his team has shown since opening on September 5 with a home Caraboa Cup defeat at the hands of Lincoln.

Since then Michael Appleton's side have surprised a few, going top after beating Ipswich at the weekend, but Artell said: "The players have taken on board what was said about the early games and we have improved. Bar Sunderland we have got better every game.

"For example two years ago we wouldn't have got a draw from the Blackpool game.

"We have got a group of players who are very coachable and there is more to come from them."

Will Jaaskelainen, 22, is poised to make his 50th Crewe start against Lincoln and the keeper said: "It's great to have played so many games and I think there is a lot of improvement to come from me.

"It was a great result for us at Doncaster (2-1). It was a boost to win away against a team who were playing well. We defended really well and we looked very solid.

"Lincoln will be a tough game, but we know a little bit about them as we played them at the start of the season. We seem to be getting better and hopefully we can learn from that defeat and put it right in the league. It would be a massive result if we got a win on Tuesday."