Boss backing striker to be back amongst the goals once his match sharpness returns.

Crewe Alexandra boss Steve Davis says his loan striker Tom Hitchcock will only improve with more game time.

The on-loan striker from MK Dons when close to opening the scoring at Southend United on Tuesday night but his deft header from Zoumana Bakayogo’s cross actually beat the on-rushing goalkeeper Dan Bentley but unfortunately just cleared the crossbar.

Hitchcock, 23, is fit but still needs match sharpness after enduring a tough time this season. He has only made 13 appearances this season following a loan move to Stevenage earlier in the campaign.

The Alex boss is backing the goal poacher to come good once he has restored that match sharpness. Steve said: “Tom is fit and is training well but he is just lacking that match fitness that only comes from playing the games.

“He will get that back and the only way for him to get it back, is to play through it. It will take him a few games to get it back fully, but the game time he has got in the last couple of games would have done him the world of good. Some players need a few games to get themselves going again. It is only natural for that to happen.

  The boss added: “We know what Tom is capable of. He is a goalscorer and once he has that sharpness back and he gets the right service then I am sure he will start scoring goals again because is a top finisher.”