Bournemouth are down to the bare bones ahead of their trip to Crewe with just 13 players available.
Slim pickings for Cherries while Donaldson in contention for Alex
Bournemouth are down to the bare bones ahead of their trip to Crewe with just 13 players available - including youth team goalkeeper Dan Thomas.
The Cherries have appealed to the Football League to lift their transfer embargo in order to bring in Norwich's Rhoys Wiggins on loan due to injuries and Warren Cummings' suspension.
Defender Cummings will serve the first of a three-match ban after being sent off at Aldershot last weekend following an altercation with substitute goalkeeper Clark Masters.
Sammy Igoe will also miss the game as the midfielder will be out for three weeks after damaging his ankle ligaments.
Joe Partington is also sidelined with a back problem while Mark Molesley (foot) and Shaun Cooper (hip) are unavailable.
Even assistant manager Jason Tindall may have to be on the bench, should is the crisis affecting the Cherries right now.
Striker boost
Crewe, meanwhile, expect to have striker Clayton Donaldson fit in time for the visit of Bournemouth.
Donaldson had to be substituted after an hour of last weekend's home win over Darlington but scans have revealed the damage to his hip was not as serious as the club initially feared and he will be in contention.
However, skipper Mat Mitchel-King will be out for around a month after he suffered ankle ligament damage in the same game.
Harry Worley will deputise for Mitchel-King at centre-half and transfer-listed defender Patrick Ada is now unlikely to leave Gresty Road this month as he is needed as cover.
Midfielder James Bailey is closing in on a return after problems with an abdominal muscle.
