Boss hoping Watford loanee will stay fit to fire us to safety

Steve Davis says that now his on-loan striker Uche Ikpeazu is leaner, fitter and ready for action, the Alex have a real potential match winner on their hands. The on-loan Watford forward started only his second game of his loan spell and his return coincided with a super 3-1 away win at Gillingham. Ikpeazu created two goals in the victory at the Priestfield Stadium and was a constant handful to the Gills defenders with his presence.

Ikpeazu’s only other start this season, saw him score twice on his full professional debut in a 3-3 draw at Bradford. If Crewe can keep the former Reading Academy graduate fit for the remaining eight games of the season, he could form a formidable partnership with his close friend Chuks Aneke.

Steve has been pleased with Ikpeazu’s work ethic to get back playing and says that his power and unpredictability make him a nuisance to defenders.

Ahead of the visit of Notts County, Steve told the club’s official web-site: “I was pleased with the front four. They scored three goals again like they did at Bradford and I was pleased that two of them got on the scoresheet and Uche and Brad were a threat.

“Uche helped create to two of the goals and the front four were much more of a threat than they were against Oldham. I changed it with Pogba moving back to the wing and bringing Uche back in.

“He has worked hard to get himself fully fit. He has been doing double sessions and looks more athletic. He is a threat with his power and he always gives defenders a hard time. He plays a bit off the cuff and that unpredictability makes him a handful. The defenders don’t know what he is going to do.

 Steve added: “Uche is still young and is a bit raw. He will make some mistakes along the way but he also has some quality and can change a game either through his running power or by taking a goal.”