Alex boss could be without several key players for trip to Crawley

Steve Davis will have to assess the availability over a number of his first-team squad for this weekend’s trip to Crawley. The Alex have been hit with a flu bug that has affected captain Matt Tootle and midfielder Chris Atkinson and both Jamie Ness and Alan Tate have collected slight knocks in training this week to make them doubts to travel.

Ness has a slight calf strain while Tate was withdrawn from training as a precaution after complaining of tightness in his groin.

Brad Inman will also have to be fully assessed after suffering that nasty neck and head injury against Sheffield United last week before he is deemed well enough to travel and Davis is already without Liam Nolan (ankle) and Ryan Colclough (hernia).

Crewe are also without the suspended George Ray and Anthony Grant. Ray will serve a three-match ban following his red card against Sheffield United for dissent and Grant one match after collating five yellow cards.

Hopefully, we will have one or two who may recover in time and will be available for selection. Steve Davis told the club’s official web-site: “We will have to look at who is available today and tomorrow before we travel to Crawley.

“It is something you have to content with and while I am always onto the players to make sure they are ready if an opportunity should arise. If some of the players who have been playing recently are not available then it will be that chance for others.

 The boss added: “We have players in the squad who are desperate to play and show what they can do.”