Crewe Alexandra are hopeful of welcoming Mat Mitchel-King and Calvin Zola back into full time training tomorrow ahead of this weekend's home game with Northampton Town. Mat Mitchel-King has missed the club's last four matches after spraining his ankle in the 3-0 home win over Darlington. The club captain is hopeful of a return to training but Dario Gradi has suggested that he may still need a full week of training under his belt until he is considered for selection again.

Dario told the club's official web-site: "I am hoping to have Mat back with us tomorrow but I wouldn't think we would risk him for the weekend. It is not as though he can train on a Wednesday and then play Saturday. He has been out for a few weeks now so we will see how he is."

Zola who aggravated his hamstring in the opening few minutes at Rochdale is also likely to train after missing the Burton Albion game due to the injury. On a positive note, Zola did not suffer a torn muscle and he could now be included in the squad for this weekend's clash with the Cobblers.

Dario said: "It is nice to have Mat and Calvin back with us because it improves out choices, especially Zola because he is a bit different to what we have got up front. We have to play differently when he is not there and play a bit shorter.

"It is easier to hit a long ball when you have a target man up there. We had to use the pace of Miller and Moore on Friday and slide them in and it worked. They got a goal each really. I know Clayton got the final touch but Bryon's shot was nearly over the line anyway.

"It is nice to have the option of using Calvin and what he can offer us if we want to change things."

Crewe's only absentee looks like being Steven Schumacher who has been struggling with a lower back problem. He is once again a major doubt for the weekend.