Inman pushing for Alex start
Brad Inman is pushing for a return to the starting line-up when Crewe host Preston on Easter Monday in npower League One.
The on-loan Newcastle attacking midfielder came back from a month on the sidelines with an ankle injury to score Alex's second goal - his seventh in 18 appearances for the club - in a 16-minute cameo during Good Friday's 2-2 draw at struggling Bury.
Such firepower in front of goal comes as a boost to boss Steve Davis, especially as veteran striker Nathan Ellington (knee) will miss out once more.
Defender Gregor Robertson remains sidelined with an Achilles problem and on-loan Tottenham full-back Kevin Stewart could be in line for a debut having been an unused substitute at Gigg Lane.
Club captain Luke Murphy is progressing well in his recovery from a groin injury but is unlikely to be risked with the Railwaymen's Wembley date in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final against Southend on the horizon.
A pair of game-changing substitutions during Good Friday's 1-1 draw with Portsmouth have given Preston boss Simon Grayson food for thought.
North End were a goal down to their lowly opponents when Grayson introduced striker Graham Cummins and defender Paul Connolly after the hour.
Cummins led the line impressively, while Connolly's introduction allowed Keith Keane to move into midfield and net the Lilywhites' equaliser with a fine strike 13 minutes from time.
"I was pleased that when we made the changes the players who came on or moved around the pitch had an impact on the game," Grayson told Preston's official website.
"Graham Cummins held the ball up well and Keith Keane gave us a base to play from and it was a magnificent goal, that was a bonus for us.
"If you ask Keith, he will say he's a midfield player who has adapted to playing right-back and his versatility is excellent for us. You need that flexibility so you can play different formations during games."
Forward Stuart Beavon (concussion) and midfielder John Welsh (Achilles) hope to return having missed out against Pompey, while Joel Byrom (hernia) and Scott Laird (broken leg) continue their respective recoveries.
Source: PA
Source: PA