Striker Nicky Maynard is set to hand Crewe Alexandra a welcome boost by declaring himself fit for our clash with Swansea City. Maynard missed last weekend's disappointing 3-0 defeat at Brighton after failing a late fitness test on a troublesome foot and ankle injury. Maynard withdrew late from the side that took the field at the Withdean Stadium, which meant a first start since September for Eugen Bopp.

Maynard has successfully retuned to training this week and is back in contention for a starting place in Steve Holland's side.

Nicky told crewealex.net: "The ankle is feeling a lot better now. It has settled down and I have been able to train without any problems this week. It had swollen up in the build up to the Brighton game and I was touch-and-go to play all week.

"I was always determined to travel down there and see how it was. I genuinely thought I would be fit and able to play, so it was so disappointing when there was a bit of reaction and it was clear from the fitness test I did on the Saturday morning that it wasn't right to play on it.

"I want to play against Swansea and try and help the team get a result against what is a very good side. We want to try and amend what happened at Brighton last weekend and the confidence remains high here.

He added: "I definitely thing we have enough quality to stay up this season and move up the table. We are more than capable of doing that but we need to start picking up some points as quickly as possible."