Alex boss on Alan Tate's ankle injury

Steve Davis has told the club’s official web-site that it is a blow to lose the experienced Alan Tate at this stage of the season. The on-loan Swansea City defender suffered a minor fracture in his ankle on Tuesday evening as Crewe picked up a point at Peterborough.

Tate is expected to be out between 4-6 weeks, thus frustratingly ruling him out for the remaining three matches of the season.

Steve told crewealex.net: “The good news for Alan is the injury is not as bad as we first feared. He is expected to be out for 4-6 weeks, so that is good for him but it rules him out for the rest of the season.

“It is always a blow to lose any player at any time, but especially so when they have been in the team and have been an influential player for us.

“As a manager you want as many of your good players available so it is a blow to lose Alan. He has made a difference to us this season with his experience both on and off the pitch.

“We will have to see what happens with him in the future. I am sure it is something he, his family and his representatives will consider in the summer. I haven’t sat down with Alan and discussed his future yet.

He added: “Alan is out but we have enough defenders to cover that loss. It is a chance for them to step up.”