Alex' boss Steve Davis spoke to his club's official website ahead of his side's League One game against Carlisle at Brunton Park this evening, Davis expecting a tough match tonight:
“We have had a tough section of fixtures against some of the in-form teams but I expect that to be the case for much of the season because there will be no easy games in this league. Carlisle have been a club on the verge of competing for the play-offs over the last few years. They are an established league one club and are a very good side, with some really good players.
“It will be another tough game but one, we will be looking forward to. It is up to us to perform and if we can and defend well then there is no reason why we cannot get another positive result and continue on this little run. We have been difficult to beat of late and I’ve been pleased with that. That has been a positive aspect of our play and we showed at Stevenage that we are capable of creating good chances and scoring goals.“
In team news for the Railwaymen this evening they have a raft of injury and suspension problems, with four players definitely sidelined, while striker Harry Bunn, who was on loan at Crewe from Manchester City until January, returned to his parent club at the beginning of last week with severe knee ligament damage that is expected to keep him out for the rest of the season. The Alex’ also tonight missing Arsenal-loanee midfielder Chuks Aneke who sees out the first of a three match ban following an grim looking two-footed challenge on Stevenage’s Anthony Grant on Saturday.
Injury-wise for Crewe meanwhile they have three absentees, starting with Guinea-born frontman Mathias Pogba who is missing for the short term with a knee injury, while winger Michael West is also out for a few weeks with an ankle problem. More seriously though goalkeeper Steve Phillips is sidelined having had an operation in late August to remove, following a scan and subsequent biopsy, a benign tumorous lump in his left knee.
In better news for Alex boss Steve Davis though he is able to call on former Gretna midfielder Abdul Osman this evening with the 25-year old Ghanian having recovered from an ankle knock picked up in the 2-2 draw at Stevenage. Davis also having his son Harry available for selection, the 20-year old centre-half suffering no repercussions from the slight leg problem he suffered at the Lamex Stadium.
The referee for tonight’s match is Andy Haines from Sunderland and he will be assisted down the lines by Ben Toner from Darwen in Lancashire and Simon Clayton from Newton Aycliffe in County Durham. Meanwhile the fourth official is Paul Davison from Stockton-on-Tees.