Steve says enforced rest will do the winger good after weeks of punishment.

Steve Davis will use the gap in our fixture list to give Bradden Inman and others in his squad a chance to get over some minor knocks and injuries. Inman is not expected to feature for the Alex again tomorrow after being rested against Colchester United on Tuesday evening.

The Crewe wide man has been suffering from a succession of knocks collated over the last few weeks. Inman has certainly been singled out for some robust treatment from the likes of Blackpool, Gillingham and especially Eastleigh in the FA Cup when he was on the receiving end of three reckless challenges.

Davis is unlikely to risk Inman or his fellow striker Lauri Dalla Valle for this weekend’s home game against Oldham Athletic. Dalla Valle has been struggling with a neck injury he sustained when going for a diving header in training.

The Finn may make his comeback for the Development Squad at Leeds on Monday.

The Crewe Alexandra boss told the club’s official web-site: “We will be cautious with Brad and may choose to rest him again this week. With us not having a game next week as well it will give him a nice period to recover.

“He has taken a lot of punishment and I think an enforced rest will do him good. He will come back fitter and stronger after these two weeks. It will help him.

 “Lauri is progressing but he hasn’t played for a couple of weeks now and we wouldn’t consider throwing him straight back in. He could play for the Under-21s next week but we will see how he is over the weekend.”