Crewe v MK Dons preview

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Crewe anticipate goalkeeper Ben Garratt and on-loan forward Uche Ikpeazu will overcome knocks to feature against MK Dons on Tuesday night.

The Alex expect to have a similar squad to the one which was beaten 2-1 by Leyton Orient on Saturday and Ikpeazu, borrowed from Watford, could be in line for his start since moving to Gresty Road.

Another hoping to lead the line will be Mathias Pogba, still working his way back slowly from a pre-season knee injury, but a similar ailment is likely to keep defender Ollie Turton out, although he is at least back in training.

Teenager Ryan Colclough (stomach) and fellow forward Max Clayton (ankle) remain long-term absentees.

Teenage midfielder Dele Alli will return to the MK Dons squad at Crewe.

Alli is fit again after missing the last two matches with a leg injury but it remains to be seen whether the 17-year-old, who scored his third goal of the season in his last appearance, will go straight back into the starting line-up or begin on the bench.

Alli’s return means Dons boss Karl Robinson should have every member of his first-team squad available for selection for the first time this season, although Daniel Powell, Luke Chadwick and Dean Bowditch are still short of match fitness.

Bowditch made his third consecutive appearance as a substitute during the 2-2 draw at Bristol City on Saturday and is likely to get more minutes under his belt from the bench in the second half on Tuesday night.

Crewe v MK Dons preview

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The hosts will be hoping Brad Inman and Michael West will both prove their fitness ahead of the midweek encounter.

Inman has missed the last three games with an ankle problem but is in contention for inclusion in Steve Davis’ squad after a full week in training.

West is also back training following a long-term hip injury but this game may come too soon for him to earn a first-team return.

Chuks Aneke was among the substitutes for Saturday’s home draw against Shrewsbury on his comeback from a knee injury and is a midfield option open to Davis.

Defender Jon Guthrie will definitely miss out after he was ruled out for the rest of the season following hernia surgery.

Nathan Ellington came off the bench to make his Railwaymen debut at the weekend and will push for a starting spot as they look to end a four-game winless home run.

Captain Dean Lewington is one of three Dons players who will be assessed ahead of the midweek trip.

Lewington hobbled off with a knock after 64 minutes of the 3-0 home win over Tranmere on Saturday.

Seven minutes later, the left-back was followed down the tunnel by midfielder Stephen Gleeson and on-loan striker Patrick Bamford.

“I didn’t make one sub tactically,” said manager Karl Robinson. “They were all forced subs.

“It looks like ligament damage with Dean. Hopefully it will settle down. He is a wonderful healer so we will have to wait and see.”

Gleeson has only recently returned from a three-month absence with a broken metatarsal, making his first start since mid-December against Tranmere following three substitute outings this month.

It was also Bamford’s first start since the end of November following his hamstring problems.

Daniel Powell has missed the last two matches with a hamstring injury and he remains a doubt, while fellow winger Luke Chadwick will stay on the sidelines with his hip flexor problem.

David Martin (back) has returned to training but this match will probably come too soon for the Dons goalkeeper so Ian McLoughlin is expected to deputise for a seventh game.