Defender struggling with jarred knee
Defender Jon Guthrie is rated as a major doubt for this weekend’s away clash at Port Vale after he received a hefty knock on his knee when conceding the penalty against Notts County on Saturday. Guthrie was taken by surprise as Kwame Thomas jumped ahead of him to reach a bouncing ball inside the penalty area and although Guthrie had his eyes set firmly on the ball and his intention to clear the danger, he caught Thomas more than the ball and referee Iain Williamson pointed to the spot.
Liam Noble converted the resultant penalty with the final kick of the first half and Guthrie failed to appear for the second half after jolting is knee. Adam Dugdale took his place as Crewe’s four game unbeaten run came to an end following a 2-1 defeat.
Boss Steve Davis told crewealex.net: “Our decision making in the final few minutes of the first half was not good. We gave away a silly free-kick that led to the ball going into our box and then Jon has conceded a penalty.
“His intention was to clear a bouncing ball. He didn’t kick their player intentionally and had his eye on the ball. The Notts County player has jumped high to beat him to it and Jon has followed through with his clearance. You tend to see more and more penalties given for this type of offence.
“It was all a bit to scrappy from us and we will go through those final few minutes again on the DVD because it is the not the first time it has happened towards the end of the first half. I don’t know if it is to do with concentration levels but it is something we can look into. It is a crucial time of the match.
The boss added: “Jon suffered an injury when making that challenge for the penalty. The force of catching their player has jolted his knee and we will have to see how he is this week but he remains a doubt for the weekend.
The Crewe Alexandra boss admits that club captain Matt Tootle remains a major doubt ahead of the trip to Vale Park. Tootle went over on his ankle in a gym training session and due to a virus, as well, has not played a first team game since October.