Crewe boss David Artell has revealed that the club’s injured pair; Eddie Nolan and Harry Pickering are making significant progress.

Artell feels that both are ahead of schedule in their recovery from their injuries but he doesn’t expect them to be available for selection for at least another four weeks. Pickering suffered a severe hamstring tear in the heavy defeat at Colchester United and Nolan aggravated his calf muscle when landing awkwardly early on into our 3-0 win over Macclesfield Town.

Veteran midfielder Paul Green is out until New Year after he suffered a serious knee injury in a collision at Carlisle.

Ahead of this weekend’s derby meeting with Port Vale, Artell said: “We do not have any more injuries. We have a few sessions to go, so we will see how we are and who impresses.

“We are without Greenie until the New Year but Pixie and Eddie are making good progress. I would say they are both ahead of schedule but I don’t expect them to be back with me soon. If they are then great, if not then we will have to wait.

“They are all working hard, Greenie included. He has been allowed to train at a local gym rather than travelling in for two hours every day but he has been in this week. His rehab is going well and we are pleased with it.”