In the wake of the serious injuries to Paul Green and Harry Pickering, Crewe Alexandra have received some positive news in relation to club captain George Ray.

The centre-half managed to come through 90 minutes of our Under-23s fixture at home to Ipswich Town and if he can get a full week of training under his belt then he will be considered for the visit of Macclesfield Town.

Ray has been struggling with a bruised back and ribs following a hefty collision on the opening day of the season against Morecambe. He did manage to return for the trip to Colchester United, starting in the 6-0 defeat but he was withdrawn at half-time.

The potential return of Ray would be a welcome boost to boss David Artell after he lost Pickering and Green in the space of a few days.

Artell told the club’s official website: “George played at Colchester and trained on the Thursday but after a while he felt something and he went back in.

“He didn’t train on the Friday, so couldn’t be considered for Carlisle but he did some rehab over the weekend and felt okay. He wanted to give it a go in the Under-23s and he came through with no reaction, so that was pleasing.

“If George can get through the week then we will be under consideration. “