Boss welcomes free week to prepare for one of the division's toughest teams

Steve Davis says his planning has quickly switched to in-form Preston North End. Simon Grayson’s side are currently second in League One and will be aiming to grab one of those two automatic promotion places.

Crewe will be aiming to pick something up from Deepdale to keep our hopes of survival alive. The Railwaymen have won on their last two previous encounters at Preston and a repeat would certainly cause an upset in the division.

Steve told crewealex.net: “They are all big games in League One, especially at the end of the season. They don’t come much tougher than Preston away and that is why our preparation has to be spot on.

“We know they have some really good players and are a difficult side to get something from. We have a free week to prepare for it and prepare right.

“It is a game to look forward to, in a fantastic stadium.”