Source: PA
Alex`s fringe players set for cup chance
Crewe chief Dario Gradi has hinted at changes for his side`s FA Cup first-round tie at Tamworth.
After this week`s league defeats to Port Vale and Shrewsbury, Alex face a further three games in eight days starting with the trip to The Lamb Ground as the fixtures start to pile up.
Gradi is concerned the likes of Lee Bell and David Artell, who have featured in all 18 games so far this season, may start to suffer from burn out. Therefore, he is considering giving the likes of Adam Dugdale, Mat Mitchel-King and Nick Powell a chance to impress, while also hinting he would tinker with his strike-force.
"With games coming up like this I don't think all the players will be able to cope," said Gradi. "I'd imagine Belly will need a rest soon and the same goes for Artell.
"Shaun (Miller) will play at some point and I'd like to give AJ (Leitch-Smith) a run-out too. We need to see if we have enough strength in depth. That is the purpose of having a squad."
Meanwhile, left-back Danny Blanchett is a doubt after he sustained a bruised calf and Achilles tendon against Shrewsbury on Tuesday night.
