Crewe Alexandra midfielder James Bailey is set to play his first game for almost three months with a run out for the club's 'reserve' side. The Alex are taking on Birmingham City reserves in a behind-closed-doors match this afternoon and Bailey is set to start under Steve Davis.

Bailey has been out of action since November after picking up a troublsome abductor muscle problem. He has endured a couple of set-backs during his comeback from the injury, but the Macclesfield-born youngster has trained for the past week and suffered no reoccurence.

Bailey was fit enough to travel to Rochdale on Saturday but was the spare man in Dario Gradi's squad. Bailey has declared himself fit and available for selection and will be considered for Friday night's trip to Burton Albion.

Also involved this afternoon will be striker Clayton Donaldson, who was an unsued sub at Spotland, Carl Martin, Patrick Ada and Danny Shelley. Trialist Danny Gardner will also get another chance to impress in the Midlands, following his recent winning goal against Aston Villa.