Club captain Matt Tootle begins light training as he targets return

Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis has revealed that the club captain Matt Tootle is progressing well as he steps up his training but he admits he is still not sure when the versatile defender will return to training with him.

Tootle, last season’s Player-of-The-Season has not featured since late October after picking up a troublesome ankle injury. He later suffered a re-occurrence of the injury after landing awkwardly on it during a gym session at training.

Tootle has been able to step to step up his work load over the last few weeks and the Crewe boss says that one of his most experienced and consistent performers’ remains convinced that he will return before the end of the season.

Steve told crewealex.net: “Matt is progressing really well in his sessions with Rob Sharp and he is building up the strength around the ankle. He has missed a lot of football now but he is working hard to be back before the end of the season.

“I haven’t got a date in my mind if he is going to return to full-time training and we will just have to wait and see.

He added: “I have spoken with Matt and he is a really positive frame of mind. He believes he will get back before the end of the season and there is no reason not to believe that. He is upbeat and is improving every day, so it is justa matter of him building his fitness levels up and then giving him some match time in the Under-21s first.”