TEAMtalk

Rotherham v Crewe preview

Monday 05-March-2012 17:14

Rotherham striker Lewis Grabban is expected to return to the starting line-up.

The Millers' 15-goal leading scorer missed out on Saturday after his partner gave birth to a baby girl, but he returned to training on Monday.

Midfielder Danny Harrison is doubtful after being withdrawn at Barnet on Saturday while suffering from the after-effects of his involvement in a car accident on Friday.

Harrison also returned to training on Monday, but will be monitored by manager Andy Scott.

Centre-half Richard Naylor remains sidelined due to the knee injury that kept him out at the weekend, so Michael Raynes will resume at the heart of defence.

Goalkeeper Rhys Taylor is expected to continue after returning to the side in place of Andy Warrington on Saturday, while midfielder Danny Schofield is pushing for a recall to the starting line-up.

Meanwhile, Crewe goalkeeper Steve Phillips faces a late fitness test.

Phillips is nursing a bruised foot, leaving former Ayr and Barrow keeper Alan Martin on standby for his Alex debut.

Boss Steve Davis will definitely be without Nick Powell as the highly-rated attacking midfielder is on international duty for England's Under-18 meeting with Poland.

Elsewhere, Davis is set to be boosted by the return of midfielder Lee Bell (illness) and striker Ajay Leitch-Smith (ankle) for the Millers clash.

On-loan Wycombe defender James Tunnicliffe remains on the sidelines with a shoulder injury and, although he may return for Saturday's game with Gillingham, news that the 23-year-old requires surgery on the problem is likely to rule out an extension to his stay at Gresty Road beyond the weekend.

"It's a risk taking James on for another month when his shoulder could go again," Davis told The Sentinel. "He needs to look after himself and he needs to do the right thing for his career. We don't know if the shoulder is going to be right until it's operated on."