Crewe expect January interest in Powell and Clayton

Clayton and Powell played for England at the Under-17 World Cup in June

Crewe youth team coach Neil Critchley expects Nick Powell and Max Clayton to attract interest from Premier League clubs, possibly as soon as January.

The pair, both 17, have featured regularly for the Alex in League Two.

Critchley told BBC Radio Stoke: "With them playing for England as well, the scouts know who they are.

"It only takes someone to think 'We need to do it now, before someone else does it' and it could happen. It does happen at a younger age now."

Critchley added: "Depending on the size of the bid, if it was to happen, maybe it would happen sooner rather than later."

Powell has made 13 starts and 22 substitute appearances for the Alex since making his debut as a 16-year-old in August 2010.

Clayton's only professional start came in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy against Macclesfield in October, although he has appeared nine times from the bench in League Two so far this season.

Both players scored in a 2-1 victory at Morecambe on Saturday.

Despite their exploits with the first team, Critchley is keen to keep the youngsters within the youth team setup at Gresty Road.

"They're in with the youth team players every day and we think it's important for them to be in with the youth team players," he said.

"They're still in there with their mates, they all still have to do their jobs and responsibilities and they still go to college with them. We think that's important."