Town will still be without injured duo Danny Haynes and Gavin Williams when they travel to Gresty Road to face Crewe on Tuesday night (KO 7.45pm). Midfielder Owen Garvan is also out, suspended for one match, and is replaced by Norwegian Vemund Brekke Skard, called into the senior squad for the first time.

Haynes's ankle is improving but is still three to four weeks away from a return. Williams, who has shin and ankle injuries, may be in contention for Saturday's trip to Wolves but is currently some way from being fit.

Frontman Adam Proudlock is over his knee problem but will benefit more from staying behind and training rather than travelling and may be available for the trip to his former club Wolves on Saturday.

Sam Parkin has had a minor setback but is still considered to be well ahead of schedule after breaking his ankle in November. Boss Joe Royle says the striker has probably tried to progress a bit too quickly and will have a rest and won't now be involved in the reserves game at home to Crystal Palace on Wednesday. However, the hold-up is not considered a serious concern.

Fellow striker Nicky Forster is out for virtually the rest of the season after undergoing knee cartilage surgery a fortnight ago.

Alan Lee (tight hamstring) and Jason De Vos (groin) both missed training on Monday but will be fit to face the Railwaymen.

Recent signing Skard comes into the squad but will be on the bench with skipper Jim Magilton likely to replace Garvan in the midfield, the youngster having reached five bookings for the season.

Royle could choose to push central defensive linchpin Richard Naylor forward alongside Alan Lee, but it's more likely that Darren Currie will continue behind the main striker ahead of the midfield four.

Spanish full-back Sito impressed as a second half substitute but after seven league matches without a defeat, the Town boss will be loath to make changes to his defence. Royle has confirmed that Shane Supple will continue in goal against Dario Gradi's men.

Kevin Horlock has joined Doncaster on loan for a month with a view to a permanent move, while Town and Wycombe are set to decide whether Aidan Collins will extend his stay alongside Dean Bowditch at the Causeway Stadium. Collins was not involved for the Chairboys at the weekend and it could be that he is no longer required by boss John Gorman.

Royle feels that despite Crewe's lowly position it will be a tough game: "I know that they're bottom but I see that they've banjaxed a few coupons on Saturday by drawing at Wolves, mine included. And added to that they scored three against the league leaders Reading last week, so they haven't given up.

"I've got so much time for what happens at that place, a lot of respect, and it's never an easy game. We've struggled to get results there in the last couple of years and we're expecting a very hard game. But they will pass the ball and it will be a passing game.

"We're confident, we're not going there on the back foot, we're confident in us and what we're doing, but we've got a lot of respect for Crewe."

The Railwaymen can recall captain Kenny Lunt after a one-match ban, but Dario Gradi says he won't play loan striker Gareth Taylor (eye injury), midfielder David Vaughan (dead leg) or new Algerian signing Madjid Bougherra.

Tuesday's referee is Tony Leake from Lancashire who has shown 63 yellow and three red cards in 27 games this season. His most recent Town match was last season's 2-2 draw at Leicester City.

Squad: Supple, Price, Wilnis, Barron, Sito, Naylor, De Vos, Magilton, Richards, Westlake, Juan, Skard, Peters, Currie, Lee, McDonald.

Photo: Action Images

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