Ryan Wintle and George Ray will step up their return to match fitness with more minutes on the pitch against Runcorn this evening.

Crewe Alexandra begin their defence of the Cheshire Senior Cup with a first round tie at Runcorn’s Millbank Linnets Stadium. Kick-off is at 7.45pm.

Development coach Alex Morris will be in charge for the cup-tie and Wintle and Ray will feature as they continue their quest to return to the first-team squad.

Both players got their first taste of competitive action again in the defeat by Hull City’s Under-23s on Monday.