Neil Baker confident Lauri Dalla Valle will be amongst the goals this coming season.

Neil Baker is backing Lauri Dalla Valle to hit double figures in terms of goals if he remains free from injury. The club’s assistant manager is a keen admirer of the Finnish striker and was as keen as anyone to bring him back to the club on a permanent basis in December.

The 23-year-old suffered with some niggling muscle injuries but he became a fundamental part of the side that went on to avoid relegation on the final day of the season. Dalla Valle ended the season with four goals in the last eight games to help Crewe avoid the drop into League Two.

Baker told the club’s official web-site: “Lauri is a great lad to work with. We knew what we were getting when he came back and that is why we were determined to do it. We were short of goals at the time and that is why we worked hard to bring Lauri, Nicky Ajose and Uche Ikpeazu into the club.

“Uche made a great start for us before he went to Doncaster and Nicky scored a hateful at the beginning of his loan. When his goals dried up, Lauri went in and scored some important goals again.

“He is a great finisher and a handful. If he is fit then I’m confident he will get double figures next season. I’m sure he will surpass that.”