Manager may freshen things up for the visit of Doncaster

has stressed he will be making some changes for the visit of Doncaster Rovers in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy on Tuesday night. In the wake of Crewe Alexandra’s FA Cup defeat to Burton Albion on Saturday, Steve Davis

Davis may elect to rest one or two players for the visit of Dean Saunders side and there may be a first start of the season for goalkeeper Steve Phillips.  The experienced goalkeeper has not played this season after having surgery on his knee in the summer. Phillips had a lump removed from his knee cap and I the meantime lost his place to Alan Martin.

Others who could possibly feature is defender Adam Dugdale and the club’s loan signing from Newcastle United Brad Inman.

Crewe have a slight doubt over captain Luke Murphy (groin) and Kelvin Mellor (knee) and AJ Leitch-Smith (ankle) are both set to miss out again. 

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “Overall the team has been playing consistently well and we had a good November. We only lost one. We drew one away at Sheffield United and won four games, so that is a great level of results to have.

“It was a new month on Saturday and it didn’t get off to the start we would have wanted. The players are going to have blips and that was one. Their performances have been good and that is why it has been hard to change the team and give others a chance.

“With Christmas and the New Year coming up I am mindful of the fact that we do have a lot of fixtures coming up in the short space of time. I may use this opportunity to freshen things up and give one or two a game.”