CREWE Alex youngster Travis Johnson insists he will need to be patient to take his first-team chance ahead of stiff competition.

But boss Dave Artell is confident the right-back is on track to make a breakthrough after he drafted him into his starting XI for the Boxing Day draw against Fleetwood.

Academy graduate Johnson started all four of Crewe's Papa John's Trophy games this season, but he has found league action harder to come by since penning professional terms in the summer of 2018.

Skipper Perry Ng's six-game ban offered Johnson, 20, an opening and he made the most of it when excelling on the right of defence as a late replacement for Olly Lancashire, who aggravated a calf injury in the warm-up.

It was only Johnson's second league start for Crewe, but he says he will learn from the patience shown by team mate Oli Finney and he expects the transition to "first teamer" to be a long-drawn out process.

"Every chance I get is another opportunity and I'm grateful for that. I'm competing with two unbelievable players in Luke (Offord) and Perry (Ng)," said Johnson. "It would be easy for it to get me down and dishearten me, but they are top players.

"At Crewe with the talent that is here it is not easy for anyone to get in as we have some top drawer players. It's a longer process than maybe it used to be.

"But you look at Oli Finney now and he has had to wait years to get his chance and it has paid dividends for him. He is an example for all of us young lads to keep going."

Ng was due to serve out the last game of his suspension at Rochdale tonight, but with the fixture called off by the hosts whose staff and players are self-isolating, Johnson should get another opportunity when Crewe are scheduled to return to action at Shrewsbury on Saturday.

Artell said: "Travis has started six games if you include the Papa John's Trophy, so he's already exceeded one of his season's targets.

"He was terrific going forward in the second half on Saturday. In fact, he was as dangerous going forward as he was competent with his defending. Travis works very hard every day on the training ground and he is now getting his rewards."

With the January 9 trip to Bristol Rovers off because the Pirates are in FA Cup action the derby match with Salop will be the only time Crewe are in action for a 20-day period.

But the momentum they have gained in December has pushed them up to ninth and put boss Artell in contention for the manager-of-the-month award.

He says there will be no sales signs up in January either.

"We don't have to sell unless it is an offer that we feel is right for the club," said the manager. "In terms of incomings we have to make sure we improve the squad which is never easy, so we need to make sure we spend wisely.

"If there's a chance to improve in terms of personnel then it's one we'll be looking to do."