Christopher Long is being assessed today (Thursday) in the hope that he can step up his training.

The forward, who has been missing for more than a month with a thigh problem, is progressing well, according to Lee Bell.

The Manager also reported that striker Courtney Baker-Richardson will undergo a scan on the shoulder he hurt in Tuesday’s win over Sutton today.

Matus Holicek was kept out of the midweek fixture by a minor ankle injury. He will be monitored as Crewe Alexandra prepare to visit MK Dons this weekend (Saturday, 3pm).

Bell said: “Longy will go through an assessment this morning to see if we can up his workload. Again, it’s about what type of reaction he gets and how we proceed from there.

“He’s frustrated but we have to speak to him and see how he feels too; he has to feel able to make big contributions.

“Courtney is having a scan this morning. He’s still in some discomfort so we have our fingers crossed it’s not too bad.

“We want them both in the squad as quickly as possible, they are main players and senior pros. If things aren’t right we won’t push too hard, because we need him for the run-in.”

Luke Offord (ankle), Jack Powell (knee) and Owen Lunt (back) remain sidelined for the foreseeable future.