Crewe Alexandra midfielder James Jones is set to return to competitive action for the club’s Development Squad on Tuesday. The club’s Scotland Under-21 International, who has not played all season due to injury is set for game time against Birmingham City after successfully returning to full contact training on Saturday.

Jones, who scored 11 goals from midfield last season, is hopeful of playing some part in the decisive run-in to the end of the season.

David Artell told the club’s official website:  “The plan is for James to play some part on Tuesday for the Development squad. There are still a few days to go, so you can never count your chickens but that is our aim.

“He has successfully returned to contact training on Saturday and he looks ready to return. There is a confidence to his movement now and you just get that feeling that he is not holding anything back or feeling any discomfort. He is moving more freely.

“It would be a real shot in the arm to have him back. Any team misses their better players.”