Home form vital to Crewe’s cause

CREWE could turn to the front duo who beat up Athletic on Boxing Day when the teams do battle at Gresty Road on Saturday.

Uche Ikpeazu and Nicky Ajose netted eight goals in the first seven matches they started together during the former player’s initial spell on loan with the Railwaymen.

On-loan Watford target man Ikpeazu is now back in the fold, after a brief, unsuccessful spell at Doncaster — and the idea is that he plays Ajose back into form. The man who netted twice at SportsDirect.com Park, including a superb chipped winner over Paul Rachubka for 10-man Alex — then bottom of Sky Bet League One — hasn’t scored in six games.

Ironically, former Leeds and Peterborough man Ajose is now on the same side as Rachubka, currently first-choice under Steve Davis due to outstanding number one Ben Garratt suffering a broken leg which will keep him out for the season.

A 5-1 defeat at Preston last Saturday and a follow-up 3-0 loss at Bristol City sees Crewe come into this game needing a positive result to avoid getting sucked back into the relegation zone.

“We knew we had two difficult games, the two most difficult of the season on the way they are

performing and we were realistic in how we set up,” Davis said.

“We didn’t want to get over-run and had to allow them some possession as if we had pressed them, they would have picked us off..

“We will be in the right frame of mind for the weekend against Athletic and come out fighting.”





ATHLETIC have tickets on sale for the Crewe game. The club have been allocated 1,042 tickets for the fixture and more are available if needed.

Prices are £22 adults, £17 over-60s and disabled, £10.50 for 12-16 year-olds and £6.50 under-11s.

Tickets are on sale until 3pm tomorrow.