Captain needs a full week of training to be under consideration again

Crewe Alexandra captain Matt Tootle is unlikely to be risked for this weekend’s home match against Chesterfield after over returning to full training this week. Tootle has been suffering with illness over the last two weeks and as a result has lost some weight.

Steve Davis has eased his skipper back into the training session and understandably Tootle was suffering with muscle fatigue after yesterday’s training schedule.

The Crewe Alexandra boss told crewealex.net: “Matt isn’t quite there yet and was a bit stiff after the session yesterday. He has been off for a couple of weeks and has lost some weight so that is to be expected.

“You don’t know how an illness like that affects someone until they come back in. Matt came into the club earlier in the week and we assessed him. We have been cautious with him and that is the right thing to do.

“He was a bit rusty at the start of the week but he enjoyed it yesterday and was getting back to being himself again. I think it is just a bit unfair to pick him for the squad at the moment.

   The boss added: “James (Baillie) has come in and done well. You never know what to expect from the young players when they go into the team but he is in there on merit after his last two appearances.”