Steve forced into re-think

Crewe Alexandra will be without forwards Febian Brandy and Danny Haynes for this weekend’s FA Cup tie against Sheffield United, as the club have not being given permission to play them by their parent clubs.

November and their clubs Rotherham United and Notts County do not wish their players to be cup-tied for future rounds. ^rdBrandy and Haynes are on loan with Crewe until 23

Fellow loanees Alan Tate, Greg Leigh and Jamie Ness have all been given permission to participate in the first round proper for Crewe Alexandra.

Crewe will welcome back Anthony Grant from suspension and Brad Inman (neck) and Jamie Ness (calf) have successfully returned to training and are available again for selection.

Crewe are without George Ray (suspended), Liam Nolan (ankle) and Ryan Colclough (hernia).

With Brandy and Haynes not granted permission to play this weekend, leading scorer Marcus Haber is expected to return to the starting line-up after starting as a substitute at Crawley last weekend.