Lee Bell admits it is a blow that Luke Offord is suspended for the visit of Leyton Orient – but says the captain will at least get a well-earned rest.
The defender will serve a one-match ban at the weekend, after picking up his fifth booking of the season last time out.
It means Crewe Alexandra will be without their most consistent performer against the League Two leaders on Saturday (1pm).
But manager Bell says there is a silver lining for Offord.
He explained: “Luke has been outstanding, he’s our captain, a leader, so we are disappointed we’ll miss him.
“But he’s carrying one or two knocks, so this will give him the time he perhaps needs. We’ve given him an extra couple of days off because he plays every minute of every game when he is available. So while we wanted him in the team on Saturday, this gives him time to recoup.”
Meanwhile, Bell and keeper Arthur Okonkwo have been nominated for the Sky Bet League Two November awards.
Bell is nominated for Manager of the Month after an impressive month in which The Railwaymen claimed all six points from their two games against Colchester United and Swindon Town.
And Okonkwo is in the running for Player of the Month after keeping a clean sheet in both games.
Bell added: “It’s a credit to the players and staff, they’ve been excellent. They are a credit to the club in terms of application.”