Crewe midfielder Powell signs new 18-month deal

Crewe Alexandra midfielder Jack Powell has signed a new 18-month contract with the promotion-chasing League Two side.

The former Milwall, Ebbsfleet, Crawley and Aldershot man only returned to first team duty with the Alex just before Christmas after 13 months out with an anterior cruciate knee ligament injury.

But he has now started two of Crewe's last three matches.

"He's a person I've got massive respect for," Alex boss Lee Bell told BBC Radio Stoke. "He's a good influence on and off the pitch.

"We just wanted to see what he looks like after his injury. He's worked like a Trojan so we just wanted to put his mind to rest."

Bell's side sit second in League Two,12 points behind leaders Walsall, going into Saturday's home game with Accrington Stanley.