Crewe's veteran goalkeeper Steve Phillips is unlikely to be fit in time for the new season, according to manager Steve Davis.
Phillips, 34, who has made more than 500 appearances in the Football League, is awaiting news from a consultation to see if he will require an operation to remove a lump on his knee.
Alan Martin is expected to be Alex's number one in the absence of former Bristol City keeper Phillips.
Boss Davis told the club's official website: "We should know more about Steve on Friday or at the start of next week once the consultant gets back to him. Then we will know if he will need a minor operation to remove it or if he is allowed to play on with it.
"We do want him back as soon as possible to provide that competition to Alan. Steve was number one last season and would have started as the number one, but Alan has come in and done fine.
"I don't expect Steve to be ready for the first few games of the season. He is a bit behind in terms of the training and he hasn't played any of the games."
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