Trotters defender joins on loan.

19-year-old Stokes who has been at the Reebok for three years had been at Bristol Rovers before being snapped up by the Premiership Club.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi made the move after Matt Tootle was ruled out with a dead leg and Carl Martin suspended for three games after getting sent off in the 4-2 win over Grimsby Town in midweek.

Even former club captain Billy Jones is not fit enough and does not look to put Crewe shirt on again as his contract is up in the summer.

Gradi has been impressed with Stokes with the player playing against Crewe's U-18 Academy team.

Gradi told Radio Stoke "He's a boy we've been considering for a month or so, but we couldn't bring him in because we couldn't give him a game.

"But we've now got an opportunity to give him a game and see what he's like.

"There might be a chance to sign him long-term, but that would depend upon whether we want him and whether they were willing to let him go."

The former England Youth International will start against Torquay United at Plainmoor on Saturday and will don the number 35 shirt.