Captain returns after illness but club will take things slowly to ease him back in

Matt Tootle is back in light training after returning from illness. The Alex skipper missed the club’s goalless draw with Sheffield United in the FA Cup at the weekend after being unable to train in the build-up to the game. The club captain has lost some weight and boss Steve Davis says he will look to ease him back into action.

Last season's Player-of-the-Year remains a doubt for this weekend’s home game against Chesterfield.

Steve told crewealex.net: “Matt is back in now and did some light training indoors yesterday. He has lost some weight and is still not 100% right, so we will be cautious with him.

“We will take things very slowly with him because the illness has taken a lot out of him. We will assess him daily before we consider him stepping back into it. The medical team will judge that and we will see if he is able to train with us later in the week.

He added: “I am not sure at this stage if he will be available for selection this weekend but we want him to be 100% right because these type of illness can affect people differently. Billy (Waters) had it a few weeks ago and that set him back. He lost some weight and both Chris (Atkinson) and Anthony Grant were sick as well.”