David Artell says it was a ‘blow’ to lose Nicky Hunt through injury on Saturday but it is hoped that the vastly experienced defender will be fit enough to face Cheltenham this weekend. Hunt was forced off after what looked like hip injury with the game evenly poised at 1-1.

Crewe had to reshuffle at the back with young Travis Johnson making his league debut at right-back and Perry Ng moving to centre-half.  Crewe have four injured centre-halves at present, with Eddie Nolan, Olly Lancashire, Billy-Sass-Davies and now Hunt all needing treatment.

The Alex boss told the club’s official website: “It is what it is and you just have to get on with it. We are struggling for centre-halves but you just have to get on with it.

“It was a blow to lose Nicky at that time but there is nothing you can really do about it. That Is where we are at.

“It is a hip flexor strain and it was a bit tight, so we’ll see how he is this week. We will wrap him up and wheel him out next week.”