Steve Davis to assess his squad after 120 minutes against Rovers.

Steve Davis has told the club’s official web-site that the right rest and recuperation will be vital in the build-up to this weekend’s trip to Cheltenham Town. Crewe Alexandra took Championship side Blackburn Rovers into extra-time in last night’s seven-goal thriller at Ewood Park, with Shane Duffy eventually ending our hopes of progression in the EFL Cup with a winning goal in the first period of extra time.

The Railwaymen performed admirably, going 2-0 up before needing an injury-time equaliser from captain on the night Chris Dagnall to extend a captivating tie to another 30 minutes. Crewe were immensely unlucky and Steve says that he could not have asked any more from his players.

After the 4-3 defeat, Steve told crewealex.net: “We would have wanted to avoid the extra half an hour but we are more disappointed to have gone out in those circumstances.

“The players gave everything they had for 120 minutes plus and now their rest is going to be just as important as the work we do this week.

“It is a ridiculous schedule that the players have to deal with. With the U-23 games as well, we are having to juggle things around a bit because we are having to play Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday for a while and fit the development games in as well.

He added: “We will have to assess how they are this week because some were struggling with fatigue and cramp.”