Crewe Alexandra centre-half George Ray has suffered a set-back in his quest to return from a fracture in his back. The 23-year-old has undergone another scan and has been advised to have a prolonged rest to allow the back to heal properly.

It is a blow for Ray and the Football Club as he has not featured since suffering the injury away at Yeovil Town over the Easter period. The former Wales Under-21 defender was playing some of his most consistent football in the second half of last season and had been named captained under new boss David Artell.

Artell told crewealex.net: “George has suffered a set-back. He has had a scan and the consultant has said that he needs a period of complete rest. It is not quite healing so he will be out for a considerable time.

“He has been feeling some discomfort with it and it is just preventing him from pushing on with it. It is a blow because he will need a complete shut down and although we are not back at square one again, it is disappointing for him and for us.”