Anthony Grant set for game time at Southport after head injury

Crewe Alexandra’s influential midfield player Anthony Grant is set to start tonight’s pre-season friendly at Southport. Grant was forced to miss Saturday’s home friendly against Wolverhampton Wanderers after he suffered a bout of concussion. Grant was kicked in the side of the head against Macclesfield Town last Tuesday and after being knocked out for 30 seconds was not permitted to play just days later.

Grant, who was also withdrawn early against Nantwich Town thanks to an extremely fussy referee, needs more game time according to boss Steve Davis. The boss told the club’s official web-site: “Granty will start at Southport and we are hoping that he can get 90 minutes under his belt.

“He has missed some game time. He didn’t get the chance to play much at Nantwich and then was forced off against Macclesfield after about 35 minutes with a head injury. That forced him to miss the Wolves game on Saturday so he needs to play.

“Ben (Garratt) will also start and we will leave Scott (Shearer) out of the squad and take one of the youth goalkeepers instead.

“The game tonight will be another opportunity for some of the younger players to show what they can do. I will chop and change it a bit and give some of them a rest.”

Crewe are set to be without Chris Atkinston (hamstring) and Brad Inman (ankle) for tonight’s friendly. Ryan Colclough (hernia) and Harry Davis (knee) are the club’s only long-term absentees.