Steve says Club may have to be cautious as forward has to regain his match fitness

Steve Davis is keeping his team plan under his sleeve ahead of tonight’s encounter at Ashton Gate. The Alex boss could start with his new loan signing Uche Ikpeazu and the likes of Chris Atkinson didn’t do his chance of a recall any harm with an encouraging display as a second half substitute at Preston.

Davis has assessed the fitness of Ikpeazu since he returned on loan from Watford and after missing a number of games at Doncaster Rovers, the boss is reluctant to say if the 20-year-old will start at Ashton Gate.

The Alex boss told crewealex.net: “I have options, especially up front now with Uche back and Lauri Dalle Valle back from injury. We have more firepower now.

“I will decide on Uche. He believes he is ready and he did okay when coming on Saturday but he is a bit behind in his fitness because he missed a few games at Doncaster.

“He has trained there but hasn’t had that much game time over the last few games. We don’t want to push him too much and see him break down with an injury because we will need him.

“We have to be careful with him but we know what a nuisance he can be to defences, so we’ll see.”

Crewe with be without Matt Tootle (ankle) and Ryan Colclough following his return from a long term injury. Full-back Greg Leigh remains a doubt with a shin injury.