Keith Curle has praised Crewe manager David Artell, describing him as someone “in the Michael Raynes mould”.

Carlisle United’s boss was in charge of Artell at Mansfield and Chester City in the early stages of his managerial career.

The pair will be in opposite dugouts for this afternoon’s League Two encounter.

Crewe were hitting national headlines for all the wrong reasons earlier this season with the club one of those at the centre of football’s child abuse scandal.

On the field, the Railwaymen had also been facing a second successive relegation, before three wins in four games this month.

“They have done very well,” Curle said of Crewe’s recent form.

“It has been a football club that has got attention and been in the media for a lot of reasons that had a detrimental effect. I think they have dusted themselves down and regrouped.

“They have a young manager in David, who I signed a couple of times as a player. He went onto play international football [for Gibraltar], which he has got to be very proud of.

“As a human being, he is a very good man.”

Influential centre-back Raynes returned to Carlisle’s starting line-up in last Saturday’s defeat at Mansfield, and Curle feels there are similarities between the defender and the Alex boss.

Curle said: “He is very much in the Michael Raynes mould – dominant, a strong personality, knows his limitations, played to his strengths and didn’t get effected by certain situations in games, as some people can do.

“So, I think that is his strength in character. He is somebody I was glad to have in my changing room. He had a hunger and desire that I liked.”

The Carlisle United Official Supporters’ Club are using their supporters’ surgery today to collect food for the Carlisle Foodbank.

Fans are invited to bring any items from the list at www.carlislefoodbank.org.uk/shopping-list to the Study Centre, next to the Blues Store between 1.15-2.45pm.

United’s disabled supporters’ group will also be there to welcome anyone interested in joining.

Barry Carter, the group’s acting chairman, says fans can register for free.

He said: “Carers, mums, dads, brothers, sisters, grans, granddads – all are welcome, and the group will have a direct line to the club.”