CREWE boss Dave Artell says he welcomes the principles of 'Project Big Picture' which includes a £250 million bail out for EFL clubs.

But the Crewe boss stresses he needs to see the detail in the deal proposed by Liverpool and Manchester United, which could help protect the English football pyramid.

EFL Chairman Rick Parry, who was at Gresty Road on Saturday for Crewe's game with Wigan, is backing the controversial proposals, which could see the Premier League reduced to 18 clubs and the EFL Cup scrapped.

Fans and other Premiership clubs have raised objections and the ideas have not been welcomed by the government.

Artell said: "People are saying it's a power grab, but the devil will be in the detail. The big six teams are on board and if another 9 to 11 teams want to go it alone I've got a feeling the EFL as a body will back it.

"Most Championship teams will do. I know a lot of fans are up in arms, but for me the alternative doesn't bear thinking about."

EFL would also get 25 per cent of all future TV deals, but parachute payments would be scrapped, while nine top flight clubs would be given 'special voting rights' on certain issues.

Sport and Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden has said the plan will not command support across the Premier League.

But Parry has said: "The merit in this plan still shines through. It is about saving the pyramid. It is difficult to reconcile our thoughts with the government's but this won't deter us."

While Crewe have tightened their belt during the pandemic and initially furloughed most of their off-pitch staff they have planned carefully for the hit all EFL clubs have taken from not having a regular matchday income.

Artell questioned: "Are we desperate for money? No, and there 's 40 or 50 football clubs that will go out of business before us. It's not a great strategy but were not coming at it where we have to snatch their hands off in this case.

"But it seems to be a positive step forward."

The Crewe boss is preparing for tomorrow evening's re-arranged game at Oxford. The original fixture on October 3 was called off after Omar Beckles reported a positive Covid-19 test, but the defender could feature again after he replaced the injured Donervon Daniels in the weekend win over Wigan.

Daniels tweaked his hamstring and could be out for "a number of days or weeks".

Fellow centre half Olly Lancashire has returned to training after recovering from the injury he suffered in the EFL Trophy game against Newcastle under-21s two weeks ago.

Despite the injury to Daniels, Crewe are well served in the centre of defence as youngster Luke Offord has continued the impressive form he showed in the latter half of last season.

Offord scored his first senior goal in the weekend win and his manager said: "He had a real good game and that is down to his character and temperament. He is never flustered and he has a real chance to have a really good career - but it's only a start as he's only played 10 to 15 games."

Offord was coached by Artell when he was a member of Crewe's under-13s side and the defender said: "There's competition for places as we've got quite a few centre halves.

"I went to Nantwich on loan and afterwards got into the team last season. If I hadn't done that