Could Alex have talented duo back for derby clash?

Crewe Alexandra is hoping to be handed a boost ahead of this weekend’s local derby against Port Vale. The club’s injured duo of Matt Tootle and Ryan Colclough are expected to resume training later this week after making progress in relation to their injuries.

Tootle had a scan last week after complaining of pain in his foot and was given the all clear, while winger Colclough had to pull out of training as a precaution after suffering some tightness in his hamstring.

If neither suffers any reaction this week they could be considered for the visit of the Valiants. They both remain doubts at the moment though.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “Both Toots and Ryan are hoping to train this week. They are keen to give it a go possibly Wednesday, Thursday.

“Toots’ foot is getting better and he has a chance of making the weekend. We’ll have to see how he goes this week.

“Ryan felt his hamstring tighten when he came back into training. He tweaked it a bit and we took him out.

“It would be a risk, a gamble to include him because we don’t know what the muscle is like until he steps up his rehab. Hopefully, it will be fine and he trains well but we don’t want to risk losing him for longer by taking a risk.”