Young Welsh defender targets earlier than expected return following ankle injury.

Crewe Alexandra have been boosted by the news that highly-rated defender Zac Williams is making significant progress from injury and is on course to be in contention for selection at some point during the first month of the new season.

Williams, 18, suffered an ankle injury in our final home game of last season against Ipswich Town and was expected to miss most of the pre-season, but his determination to get back quicker than expected has seen him make a return to training.

The young Wales International is certainly ahead of schedule. Williams won the club’s Break Through Player Of The Season award last season after making a fantastic impact at first team level when making 20 appearances.

Kenny Lunt the club’s Player Development Coach said: “Zac is back training and is coming along nicely. He has worked hard to get back and continues to work hard. We will have to see if he is fit enough for the first game of the season but if not then it shouldn’t be too long afterwards.

“The two midfielders, Connor Thomas and Charlie Colkett are not far off either. They both have calf injuries but they are progressing well and we expect to have them back with us shortly.”