Crewe vs Newport preview
Thursday 2 April 2020 11:49, UK
Crewe manager Dave Artell is short of defensive options ahead of Saturday's League Two clash with Newport.
Full-backs Corey Whelan and Kevin O'Connor have returned to their parent clubs at the end of their loans, leaving the Alex thin at the back.
However, Artell is still open to central defender Michael Raynes leaving the club this month, despite a calf injury for Eddie Nolan. Brad Walker has left the club, signing for Shrewsbury but being sent out on loan to Wrexham.
Dan Butler could return for Newport, having missed the FA Cup upsetting of Leicester through suspension. Tyreeq Bakinson is also available after extending his loan deal until the end of the season.
However, Michael Flynn is looking for reinforcements up front after on-loan striker Mark Harris returned to Cardiff. Though spirits are high after the win over the Foxes, Newport have taken only one point from their last five League Two fixtures to fall off the pace in the fight for play-off places.
Opta stats
Crewe have won just one of their last five home games against Newport in the fourth tier of English Football (D1 L3), a 2-1 victory in February 1988.
Newport have scored in each of their last 12 Football League games against Crewe (W5 D3 L4) since a 0-2 defeat back in September 1977, scoring just a single goal in 10 of those matches since.
Crewe have won five of their last seven home league games (L2) - the Railwaymen are looking to win three on the bounce at Gresty Road within the same league season for the first time since January 2013 (four).
Newport County have lost each of their last five league games on the road, last losing six such matches on the spin in the top four tiers back in February 1988 (nine straight defeats), during a campaign which saw them relegated from the English Football League.
Crewe Alexandra have managed to win just one point after falling behind in League Two this season (14 games, one draw, 13 losses).
