Boss may have a choice to make at centre-half

“If Jon Guthrie is injured there will be a change at the back, so it will be the best man we have available for that game, he might come into the equation.”

Boss Steve Davis said on Ray: “George has not played for a couple of weeks and has to work his way back into the team.

Following his red card at Boundary Park Ray had to serve a two-match ban and his suspension has cost him his starting place.

Anthony Stewart was rather unlucky to lose his place after a promising full debut against Preston North End and Ray had been one of Crewe’s consistent performances over the last couple of months before he was sent off for a second time this season at Oldham on Boxing Day. Ray scored the opening goal against the Valiants in the first derby encounter back in September, as Crewe went on to win 2-1.

Dugdale replaced Guthrie at half-time during Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Notts County after the defender jarred his knee when conceding a late penalty.

If Jon Guthrie fails to shake off his knee injury in readiness for this weekend’s local derby at Vale Park then manager Steve Davis has a selection dilemma in the heart of his defence with Adam Dugdale, George Ray and Anthony Stewart all vying for a starting role.