Crewe Alexandra boss expects Dalla Valle to still play a part this season.

Crewe Alexandra’s Finnish striker Lauri Dalla Valle will return before the end of the season. The former Liverpool man is recovering from ankle ligament damage after he was on the receiving end of a reckless tackle in our Development Squad encounter with Leeds United back in November.

Steve Davis has come out to reassure supporters that his hard working forward will return before the end of the season to help us fight against relegation.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “Lauri will be a bit longer than Harry Davis and George Ray because he suffered ligament damage rather than a fracture. Ligament injuries take longer and that is the case with Lauri.

“His next step will be running again and testing the strength of the ankle. It will be interesting to see how he copes with the overload on the ankle and the work that will come with that.

“He will be back before the end of the season and I’m sure he will be back earlier than anticipated because he always works hard and is very professional. No-one works harder than Lauri when he is out.

He added: “He will want to be back as soon as possible and help the team and it will be a welcome boost for the run-in because in form, we know he can score goals at this level. “