Crewe Alexandra's Steve Davis hails academy's progress

Crewe are likely to have nine home grown players in team to face Swindon

Crewe assistant boss Steve Davis says their academy will bear fruit this season with as many as nine players in line to face Swindon Town on Saturday.

The youthful squad has remained unbeaten during pre-season against Wolves, Derby and Rochdale.

Davis told BBC Radio Stoke: "It's the most amount of home-grown academy players there's ever been in a squad.

"I don't think there's another club in the Footballl League or the Premier League that could boast that."

The Alexandra number two added; "You don't know what they're going to do but we've seen them adapt well in the pre-season games.

"It's a great opportunity for them - we know we've got to keep working with them and improve them. I'm just pleased for the club that we have got so many players through."

The League Two have not added any outfield players to their squad this summer as Scottish goalkeeper Alan Martin remains the only new face in Dario Gradi's squad.

Central defender Jordan Rose remains on trial at the club as he seeks to earn a deal having been released in the summer by Stockport County.

But captain Lee Bell says fans should not worry about the scant transfer activity at Gresty Road because of the quality of home-grown talent making the breakthrough.

"It's not necessarily significant we've not made signings," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

"I see the likes of Max Clayton, Caspar Hughes and George Ray as new signings.

"Are we going to go out and get someone better than Nick Powell? That's not going to happen unless Dario signs an experienced player."

BBC Radio Stoke has commentary of Crewe Alexandra against Swindon Town on 1503MW and DAB from 1500BST on Saturday 6 August.