Davis hails 'huge talent' Powell

28 May 2012 08:17

Crewe boss Steve Davis admitted teenage star Nick Powell's Wembley wonder-goal was probably his parting gift to the club.

The 18-year-old looks destined for the top flight this summer with Manchester United believed to be leading the race for his signature. And Powell showed why Sir Alex Ferguson is ready to splash around £4million on him with a stunning strike to put Crewe on their way to promotion back to npower League One with a 2-0 play-off final win over Cheltenham.

Davis said: "We've not had any solid offers but I think it will come. Next week we may see something develop."

Assuming Powell does move on, he gave Crewe the perfect leaving present in the 15th minute. Receiving the ball on the edge of the area, his first touch was sublime, shifting the ball from his right foot to his left while escaping the attention of two defenders.

And his second was simply stunning, a dipping volley which flew over Cheltenham goalkeeper Scott Brown and into the corner of the net.

"I've said all season he's a huge talent," added Davis. "He's a special player who produces special things, he's a big-game player. He's done that many times this season and that was his 16th goal.

"I think he can go to the Premier League, he's a very capable lad."

For Cheltenham, who finished five points ahead of their opponents, another season in the basement division beckons.

"That's life," said manager Mark Yates. "They scored two and we didn't. One was a wonder-strike from a prodigious talent that you can't do anything about.

"Then we created chance after chance, but when we had two in 10 seconds cleared off the line it probably wasn't going to be our day. But I'm very proud."

Source: PA