Crewe have a handful of injury problems for their Sky Bet League Two opener at home to promotion favourites Mansfield.

George Ray remains an absentee after the central defender missed the end of last season with a stress fracture to his back.

Left-back Zoumana Bakayogo is battling to overcome a knee problem and has had injections to aid his recovery, while striker Jordan Bowery and midfielder James Jones are both doubts with hernia issues.

Summer signings Eddie Nolan, Chris Porter, Brad Walker and Michael Raynes, briefly a Stag in 2015, are in contention to make their debuts.

Winger Alex MacDonald is the only player unavailable for Mansfield as he recovers from a minor knee operation.

Rhys Bennett (foot) is back in training after missing last weekend's 2-0 friendly win at Alfreton, where fellow defender David Mirfin also proved he had recovered from a nasty virus that had seen him lose around 4lbs in weight.

A huge turnover of players has seen 13 new signings this summer, including Mirfin, and just as many departures so Stags boss Steve Evans has plenty of options.

There could even be a further new arrival ahead of Saturday's trip to Gresty Road with Mansfield having had a bid accepted for Scunthorpe striker Tom Hopper.