Defender Olly Lancashire was fit and available for selection for the visit of Macclesfield Town last weekend. The club’s summer signing from Swindon Town came through our mid-week Cheshire Senior Cup tie against Tranmere Rovers unscathed and was in contention for a place in David Artell’s matchday squad.

Lancashire suffered an Achilles injury when facing his former club, Swindon back in October but he had successfully returned to Alex Morris’ Under-23 side and came through 90 minutes against Tranmere.

The former Southampton trainee appreciates that he has a fight to get back into the matchday squad, especially with the recent form of the on-loan Michael Nottingham and Luke Offord and the return to fitness of Nicky Hunt.

Crewe have also been boosted with the news that Tom Lowery is making considerable progress from his recent pelvic problem. The midfield playmaker has missed the club’s last five games due to the injury, but he was named on the bench for home win over Crawley Town but remained an unused substitute.

With two matches in a short space of time coming up with away trips to Morecambe and Exeter, David Artell is hoping he will have the former Academy graduate available for selection.