Stoke City academy director Steve Holland is delighted with their capture of Crewe pair Matthew Lund and Ben Marshall.

Versatile forward Marshall and central midfielder Lund, both aged 18, have signed two-year professional deals after turning down contracts at Crewe. Holland knows the pair from his time as Academy director and then first-team manager at Crewe.

Holland told The Sentinel: "Ben is a match-winner who has always scored and made goals, whatever position he has played.

"For a comparison in the Stoke first team - and I am not saying he compares now - then it would be in the Liam Lawrence role. He's not particularly quick, but is full of energy and running.

"As for Matthew, he's a central midfield player who can do a little bit of everything. He's good in the air and can win the ball and use it well. He also has a record of scoring goals"