Davis says five missing wasn't to blame for Tuesday's home defeat

Steve Davis is refusing to blame recent injuries for his side’s disappointing 3-0 defeat to Stevenage on Tuesday night. Crewe Alexandra were without five players who would certainly be considered for first team action if fit but the Alex boss was quick to stress that the side he selected was good enough to get a result.

Midfielder Ollie Turton was the latest player to join the growing absent list after he picked up an untimely hip injury in training ahead of Tuesday’s game. Turton’s injury gave Liam Nolan the chance to mark his full debut for the club in midfield.

Crewe have remaining doubts of Bran Inman after he was recently struck down with a virus and sickness bug and Harry Davis, who is hoping to overcome his knee injury to declare his availability for the trip to Bramall Lane this weekend.

Mathias Pogba (knee) and Ryan Colclough (groin) are still definitely out but improving all the time. Coclough is hopeful of resuming training next week.

Steve said: “We do have four or five injures but apart from Pogs, who is still a few weeks off yet there isn’t too serious.

“You could argue that those five we had missing on Tuesday evening could well have started if they were fit but I won’t be using that as an excuse. The team we selected had two changes from the team that won at Preston and one further change from against Bristol City, so was more than good enough to have got a result.

 “When someone misses out it is up to others to take their opportunity and prove they should be in the team.”