DAVE Artell has challenged Crewe's players to finish as high as possible in their first season back in League One for five years.

Tuesday night's goalless draw with top-six-chasing Portsmouth helped banish the memories of three straight home defeats, and in particular last Saturday's 6-0 hammering by Oxford United at Gresty Road.

Crewe face an early kick-off (12.30pm) at improving Wigan tomorrow because of the Royal funeral schedule, and Artell wants to see an continued improvement so the Railwaymen can make the most of their last six games.

Were they to win all of their remaining fixtures, Crewe would finish off with 68 points, which was enough to secure Plymouth a seventh-placed finish in 2018.

Artell, whose side are currently in 15th spot, said: "Our target is to finish as high as possible. That's the challenge. Why not trying finishing 9th?

"I could say [to the players] if we finish 18th then don't come to me asking for an extra £50 [on your contract] because you're not going to get it. So why not finish 9th."

With an off-the-pitch takeover complete and back-to-back wins over Sunderland and Doncaster, Wigan are in the best place they have been in recent months under the caretakership of Leam Richardson.

Artell added: "Wigan are a good team with good players and we underestimate them at our peril. I think they'll stay up, they're probably the best team that is down there near the bottom.

"But if we approach the game with the right mindset and work ethic we'll win the game."

The Alex boss made six changes for Pompey's visit, but one of those Rio Adebisi retired early and will be missing again because of concussion protocols.

Midfielder Ryan Wintle, who was ruled out with injury in midweek, is having his fitness assessed.