Cheltenham v Crewe preview
Friday 8 December 2017 10:02, UK
Cheltenham, who will be wearing a one-off blue strip to raise awareness of the British Lung Foundation, expect to have Mo Eisa available after the striker resumed full training.
Striker Brian Graham has been carrying a hamstring problem and also struggling with illness, but could be available to face Crewe. Midfielder Kevin Dawson will be hoping to retain his place in the side having returned from a three-game suspension for last weekend's 1-1 draw at Forest Green.
Defender Jordan Cranston is expected to miss the rest of the season with a serious hamstring injury, while forward Jaanai Gordon (knee) and defender Jordon Forster (Achilles) are also long-term absentees.
Crewe boss David Artell will hope some more of his injured players will be back in contention. Tom Lowery returned from a hamstring injury against Blackburn in the FA Cup last weekend while Michael Raynes (groin) and Zoumana Bakayogo (ankle) are making progress in their recoveries.
However, George Ray (back), James Jones (pelvis) and Ryan Wintle (fractured tibia) remain long-term absentees. Ray, though, is back running again as he takes the next step in his recovery having not played since fracturing his back on Easter Monday.
Opta stats
Cheltenham have won just one of their last five Football League matches against Crewe (D1 L3) having won four of the previous five (L1).
Having previously lost three on the bounce, Cheltenham have gone two matches unbeaten against the Railwaymen (W1 D1) - they have never gone three matches without defeat against Crewe in the Football League.
Cheltenham are on their second run of five consecutive league matches without a victory this season (D4 L1); The last time the Robins went six on the bounce without winning came back in December 2016.
In their last away fixture in League Two, Crewe put an end to a run of seven straight defeats on the road beating Morecambe 1-0, whilst also keeping their first clean sheet in seven away matches.
George Cooper has assisted seven of Crewe's 21 league goals this season - no player in the division has registered more.
