Boss says left-back was taken off against Scunthorpe as a precautionary measure

Crewe Alexandra remain hopeful that the injury to Harry Pickering that forced him off against Scunthorpe in the last quarter of the match is ‘not too serious’.

The left-back, who performed admirably the 3-1 over the Iron was suffering with a tight hamstring and boss David Artell did not hesitate to take him off as a precaution after recently losing defender Eddie Nolan with a back injury.

Pickering, who scored our goal at Salford on Boxing Day, was replaced by youngster Rio Adebisi. The Academy graduate was handed his league debut after previously starting only in cup competitions at first team level.

David Artell told the club’s official website: “Harry was complaining of a tight hamstring, so we didn’t take any chances. I spoke to Owen, the physio and got him off as soon as we could. It was precautionary because I didn’t want to lose another one.

“We will have to see how he is but we are hopeful that it is nothing too serious. “