Steve Davis: Nathan Ellington ready to muck in for the Crewe cause
STEVE Davis says he has been impressed with Nathan Ellington's desire to get down and dirty in League One after signing the striker until the end of the season.
Crewe's manager admits some players with big-time experience are quick to turn their noses up at the prospect of a day-to-day grind of life in the third tier.
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Steve Davis says Nathan Ellington is ready to muck in for the Crewe cause.
But he insists that has been far from the case with Ellington, who has 147 senior career goals to his name, and is set to make his debut at Colchester United this afternoon (3pm).
Davis said: "It's been great how quickly he's been able to settle, how easily he's mixed in with the group and thoroughly enjoyed himself for an experienced pro; for the player he has been and still can be.
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"He's really been keen to take on board all the things we've done. He's wrapped his arms around everything and got on with it. He's been a breath of fresh air, I have to say.
"You don't know sometimes what players who have been around the league will bring to your squad but it has been very, very positive having him around.
"He's had a super influence on the players around the club up to now and, now we have signed him until the end of the season, I am sure he will have an even bigger influence.
"He's not a big-time Charlie at all. He's an ordinary, decent lad who recognises what we are doing here and been very impressed with the squad and talent we've got. He really enjoys the way we play and train.
"He's coming here with open arms."
Ellington ended an 18-month stint with Ipswich Town by mutual consent in January and arrived at Reaseheath soon after hoping to win a deal.
He was given a chance to prove his fitness – and scored a goal in each of four games as an overage player for Crewe's under-21 team into the bargain.
Davis was still weighing up whether bringing in new blood to his front line would block the path for one of the Alex's own products, such as Max Clayton or Ryan Colclough.
But perhaps his mind was made up when he was left to rue the lack of a clinical finisher to put away chances as his side lost 2-1 at home to Portsmouth last weekend.
And he decided he could not pass up the opportunity to sign the former Wigan Athletic, West Bromwich Albion and Bristol Rovers man on a short-term contract.
He said: "Nathan gives us a boost and gives the players a big boost at an important part of the season.
"It can only be a positive thing.
"We've always shown our interest, after a week or so of him being here we knew we would like him to stay.
"His fitness is getting better, he's getting sharper each day and one thing he has done is show he can score goals."
Clayton could still get the nod to join up with Ajay Leitch-Smith today, if Davis chooses to leave his new man on the bench for the trip to Colchester.
Davis said: "When Nick Powell wasn't on the pitch last season I thought Ajay and Max was the best partnership we had. They complemented each other very well.
"I always thought that would be the best two this season and they started the season well, only to lose their way a little. Maybe it is time to have another look at it."
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