Boss reveals that Cooper declared himself fit at the last minute to face the Cumbrians

Steve Davis revealed that our Boxing Day goalscorer George Cooper was not going to play after struggling with a groin strain on Christmas Eve.

The Alex staff had planned to go without their potential match winner due to his injury set-back, but the youngster declared himself fit to face Carlisle and was rewarded with his sixth goal of the season from a deal ball situation. Cooper planted home a perfect 25 yard free-kick to cancel out Shaun Miller’s opening goal in a Boxing Day feast.

Boss Steve Davis told crewealex.net: “George wasn’t going to play against Carlisle. He had a problem with his groin in the build-up to the game and we had planned to play without him, but he declared himself fit, said it was feeling better and that he wanted to play.

“I am glad he did because he has that ability to score from dead ball situations. He has shown it before and I’m pleased he scored a free-kick of that quality to get us back in the game. We deserved it. “