Midfielder struggling for Colchester with ankle injury

March.^thBrad Inman is still rated as a major doubt for this weekend’s trip to Colchester United after picking up an ankle injury against Hartlepool. Inman missed Crewe’s 2-1 home defeat by Portsmouth at the weekend and although he is progressing well with the club’s physios, this weekend may come too quickly. Steve Davis says he is considering the midfielder more for the visit of Sheffield United on 12

Meanwhile, Jon Guthrie is to undergo his hernia operation today, thus ruling him out for the remainder of the season.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “We have one or two niggles around place and some tired minds at the moment but the players worked hard yesterday. It was a good session. I think they are a bit stunned with the two defeats we have had and it is a time to out your arm around a few and reassure them.

“I’ve pushed them hard this season. More than I did last season and they have done superbly well so far, but we want to push on and finish as we possibility can. The first priority is still 50 points and safety.

“Brad is still out but he is making good progress and it is nothing too serious. He should be out for a week or so, so we’ll have to see with him.

“Jon goes in for his operation later today and he will long-term.”