Cranie, who was Boothroy'd only substitute, came on in the 11th minute for City in their 2-1 defeat at Barnsley and initially played at centre half before being moved to left back just before the break with Richard Wood being moved into the middle.
Boothroyd said to the CT: "I moved Martin because Kieran Trippier was getting the better of Woody and I just wanted to change it round a little bit. I thought Martin did very well - he came in, did a job and was very solid."