Crewe Alexandra remain hopeful that Matt Tootle will be fit to travel to Torquay United tomorrow for this weekend's fixture at Plainmoor. Tootle was forced off just before half-time in Crewe's 4-2 win over Grimsby Town with a dead leg and was replaced by Carl Martin.

Martin making only his fourth senior performance for the club was dismissed with five minutes to go for a high tackle on Michael Leary and now faces a three-match suspension for violent conduct.

If Tootle doesn't make the travelling squad then that could cause a problem at left-back with the versatile Ash Westwood the most likely candidate to move back to that defensive position.

Assistant manager Steve Davis confirmed to the club's official web-site: "Matt suffered a dead leg on Tuesday night and it stiffen up quite badly.

"He will receive treatment to today and in the morning tomorrow and the physio's remain hopeful that he could travel to Torquay."