Crewe boss challenges young duo

Steve Davis will start two inexperienced defenders against the Cobblers on Saturday

Injuries elsewhere mean that Jordan Brown and Kelvin Mellor will be part of the back four as the Railwaymen look to keep their play-off hopes firmly alive.

"It will be another challenge for Jordan and Kelvin," said Davis, quoted in The Sentinel.

"Kelvin came on at Hereford. While it was a tough game for him, he got better as it went on. Jordan needs to show some improvement on last weekend.

"It's going to be a test for both of them to see whether they can cope. I expect them to be put under pressure by Northampton from long balls and diagonal balls, and it will be up to them to see if they can handle that."