Courtney Baker-Richardson and Christopher Long will be part of Crewe Alexandra’s squad at Colchester United on Saturday (3pm).

That’s according to Assistant Manager Ryan Dicker, who also reported that Conor Thomas has a ’50-50 chance’ of being involved.

But Ed Turns (knee) will not be part of the fixture, which will be screened live on Sky Sports.

Dicker said: “We’ve had positive news that Courtney will be in the squad at Colchester, which is a big boost. He will be massive for us.

“Chris Long will also be in the squad – he's fully fit and he brings us goals when he is on the pitch.

“Conor Thomas, it’s touch and go with him. It’ll depend on whether he gets through his programme today (Thursday) and tomorrow, and whether there’s any reaction to that. It’s a 50-50 chance that he will be with us.

“The game has come too soon for Ed Turns so he will go back to Brighton for some extra treatment this weekend. Hopefully, he will be back with us on Monday when we hope to be looking forward to the Play-Offs.”

Baker-Richardson has been missing since early March due to a dislocated shoulder and a calf injury, while Long suffered a thigh injury on April 1.

Thomas has not been involved since sustaining a hamstring problem at the end of March.

Dicker added: “It’s been a tough six weeks and a hard slog for the players who have had to play so many minutes.

“The lack of depth has made it hard to change games at both ends of the pitch, but we are getting closer to what we want to look like.”

Jack Powell (knee), Luke Offord (ankle), Harvey Davies (hamstring), Tom Booth (hamstring), Owen Lunt (back) and Lewis Leigh (suspended) remain sidelined.