Alex boosted by return of senior duo

Crewe Alexandra will be without forwards AJ Leitch-Smith (ankle) and Ryan Colclough (fractured jaw) for the trip to Walsall this weekend, but the club do welcome back goalkeeper Steve Phillips and midfielder Abdul Osman is back in contention after overcoming an ankle injury.

Phillips has made a successful return to training after undergoing knee surgery in the summer, whilst winger Michael West is back in the frame after overcoming an ankle injury of his own. The former Ebbsfleet forward is yet to make his full debut for the club after having his pre-season interrupted by an heal injury, that was followed by an ankle injury sustained in a development squad fixture back in September.