Adam Dugdale unlikely to feature before New Year
Crewe Alexandra are set to be without defender Adam Dugdale again for our Boxing Day trip to Oldham Athletic as he has not recovered sufficiently from his knee injury. The Liverpool-born defender jarred his knee in a training session prior to our home match against Bristol City and his absence paved the way for the experienced Alan Tate to return for a farewell appearance in the 1-0 win.
Tate’s current loan deal expires today and he has now returned to his parent club Swansea City prior to his future being resolved in the New Year.
December.thDugdale, who has captained the side in the absence of Matt Tootle in recent weeks, is also rated as a doubt for the visit of Preston North End on Sunday 28
With Tate returning to South Wales there is a position to be filled at the heart of the Alex back-line if boss Steve Davis elects to go with three at the back at Boundary Park.
Jon Guthrie returned from illness to play for the club’s Under-21s at Barnsley on Tuesday and Crewe could also turn to the on-loan Anthony Stewart. Crewe couldn’t include the on-loan Wycombe defender because we had reached our maximum of five loan players in any match day squad.
Midfielder Chris Atkinson is also out with a foot injury, while Brad Inman has been struggling with illness the past 10 days.