Ben Nugent expected to shake off knock to make Walsall trip this weekend.

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis believes that his centre-half Ben Nugent will be fit for this weekend’s trip to Walsall. Nugent, a summer signing from Cardiff City, was forced off in the second half against Shrewsbury on Saturday with a groin injury, but Davis is confident that his ‘warrior’ defender will make himself available for selection to face the high-flying Saddlers.

Nugent suffered an impact injury rather than a muscle injury which gives him a better chance of being available for the weekend trip to the Banks’s Stadium.

Steve Davis explained to the club’s official web-site: “Ben was an enforced change at Shrewsbury. He got a kick on his groin but he was determined to carry on. He went down in the first half but wanted to carry on until half-time to see how it went.

“He got in at half-time and was assessed and again he said he didn’t want to come off. That is the kind of character he is. He is a leader, a warrior type of defender and he is a strong lad who wants to carry on.

“We had to make a change in the second half because he was struggling to run and the decision was made to bring George (Ray) on and he did very well as well.

“It is a knock for Ben rather than a strain, so I expect him to be available. It would take a lot to keep him out of a game.”