Morecambe vs Crewe preview
Thursday 2 April 2020 12:21, UK
Morecambe midfielder Aaron Wildig is out of Saturday's Sky Bet League two clash with Crewe as he faces the possibility of a lengthy spell on the sidelines.
Wildig suffered medial ligament damage during the Boxing Day defeat at Tranmere and is likely to be out for around eight weeks. Manager Jim Bentley was able to call upon midfielder Andrew Tutte and striker Vadaine Oliver, who had recovered from injuries, for the New Year's Day defeat by Carlisle.
However, Andy Fleming, James Sinclair, Lamin Jagne and Barry Roche remain on the casualty list, while Garry Thompson has left the club after his six-month contract expired.
Crewe manager David Artell is keeping his fingers crossed as he awaits news of midfielder Paul Green's knee scan. The 35-year-old, who has just returned from a cruciate injury, limped out of Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at Bury after going down clutching his knee and the club is waiting to learn the full extent of the damage.
Defender Eddie Nolan is also a doubt with a calf injury picked up in the 1-0 win over Stevenage last Saturday. Back-to-back victories over Lincoln and Stevenage in their final two games of 2018 had ended a run of three successive defeats, but Alex surrendered an early lead at Bury as the home side scored three times inside 26 second-half minutes to end their run.
Opta stats
Morecambe have won just one of their last nine Football League games against Crewe (D1 L7), failing to score in each of their last four games against the Railwaymen (D1 L3).
Crewe have won three of their last four visits to Morecambe in the Football League with a 0-0 draw in January 2017 the only exception.
Morecambe have lost just one of their last five league games at the Globe Arena (W2 D2), although that was last time out on New Year's Day versus Carlisle (0-2).
Crewe have lost each of their last five away league games, last losing six in a row in November 2017 (seven).
Crewe have netted just four away goals in League Two this season, the fewest of all sides on the road in this season's EFL.
