Josh Austerfield: Crewe sign Huddersfield midfielder on loan

Josh Austerfield spent the second half of last season with Morecambe

Crewe Alexandra have signed Huddersfield Town midfielder Josh Austerfield on loan for the second half of the season.

Austerfield, 22, has made 54 first-team appearances for the Terriers.

He has had three loan moves, two at Harrogate in League Two, then for the second half of last season trying in vain to keep Morecambe in League One.

He is the Alex's second signing of the January transfer window.

But they have lost September deadline day loan signing Joe White, who has returned to Premier League club Newcastle United following the expiry of his agreement on 14 January, having scored three times in 25 appearances.

Magpies boss Eddie Howe "wants to assess" White, who Alex boss Lee Bell would like to re-sign "if the opportunity arises".

Crewe assistant manager Ryan Dicker told BBC Radio Stoke: "Josh has had two good loan spells before and has also played in the Championship.

"He has an excellent profile. He gets around the pitch really well. He ticks a lot of boxes and I don't think it will take him long to fit in. A good player is a good player."

Austerfield joins a side with hopes of an immediate return to the third tier after last season's relegation to League Two.

Crewe are fifth in League Two, in the play-off zone, and just three points behind third-placed Mansfield Town.

Crewe assistant manager Ryan Dicker was talking to BBC Radio Stoke's Graham McGarry.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.