Luke Offord made his long awaited comeback in Crewe Alexandra’s Under-23’s match against Colchester United yesterday.

The defender completed 70 minutes at left-back in Crewe’s 2-0 win over the U’s at Nantwich before being replaced by Joe Levey.

Offord has not featured for the first team since suffering a grade 3 hamstring tear against Bristol Rovers in January and he has worked hard to get back ahead of schedule.

The versatile defender, who can play all across the back four or in midfield, had made 25 appearances this season before the injury.

Crewe boss David Artell told us: “Luke trained last week and he will be in this week. There will be no extended rest for him.

“He just needs game time now and he is not far away at all. He has worked hard to get back and it will be good to have him back.”