Alex boss taking JPT seriously

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis will be able to select loan players Andy Bond and Chuks Aneke for the Alex’s Johnstone’s Paint Trophy tie with Shrewsbury Town. Crewe have been given permission from both Arsenal and Colchester United to play the duo, something which obviously pleases Davis.

The Alex boss is expected to name a full-strength, team for the game at Greenhous Meadow, but is still without the likes of Byron Moore, Abdul Osman, Steve Phillips and Michael West this evening.

Davis expects the quartet to all step up their recovery later this week, but his immediate focus lies with tonight’s cup-tie in a competition Davis is determined to do well in.

Steve told crewealex.net: “It’s a good competition. Other clubs will perhaps not rank it up there with other targets, but it gives you an opportunity to get to Wembley and experiencing all that goes with a final.

“We will take it seriously. We want to go and win every game, no matter what competition it is in. There won’t be too many changes from the side that won on Saturday, and the substitutes will be more a less the same too.

On Bond and Aneke, Davis added: “When we initially did the agreement for them, we made sure they were both eligible to play, which is good because we need them.  Byron and Abdul could return to training later this week and have a chance for Saturday, but this game has come too soon, as it has for Steve and Michael.”