Davis delighted that attacking midfielder is off the mark

Brad Inman’s first goal of the season at Preston will be a timely boost to his confidence says manager Steve Davis. The Crewe Alexandra boss says Inman needed time to catch-up in regards to his match fitness after missing the pre-season work following a long drawn out transfer saga. Crewe had to wait until the new season was a few games in before landing the 21-year-old from Newcastle United for an undisclosed settlement fee and Inman needed time to recapture his form and fitness, but his first goal of the season at Deepdale sees him back on form.

Steve Davis told crewealex.net: “We knew we'd have to be a bit patient with Brad because of that was going on in terms of his transfer. He basically didn’t have a pre-season and had to play catch-up for the opening weeks of the season.

"Brad now looks fit again and we desperately need him as a goalscoring attacker.

"We were determined to sign him because he is a young player with great potential who can score goals. It was a wonderful finish from him on Saturday, he took it first time to curl it into the corner and I thought we would go on and win the game as soon I saw it go in.”