Crewe v Port Vale preview
Last Updated: September 23, 2011 12:57pm
Artell: Should be fit for Crewe
Team news ahead of Saturday's League Two clash between Crewe Alexandra and Port Vale at Gresty Road.
Crewe will be boosted by the return of Dave Artell.
The defender suffered a hamstring injury in the build-up to their encounter with Barnet two weeks ago and has missed their last three League two matches as a result.
However, Artell has taken a full part in training in the latter half of this week and is expected to be included in the squad to face the Valiants.
His availability presents manager Dario Gradi with a welcome selection dilemma as Harry Davis and Adam Dugdale have impressed in Artell's absence.
Gradi has no other injury worries as Crewe bid to extend a purple patch that has seen them win four of their last five League Two matches.
New signings Rob Kozluk and Liam Chilvers are expected to be in the Port Vale squad.
Kozluk is a free agent after leaving Sheffield United, where he played under Vale manager Micky Adams, at the end of last season and the 34-year-old has signed a short-term contract until the end of the year.
Chilvers, 30, arrives at Vale Park on a month-long loan from Notts County and will provide defensive cover with Gareth Owen, Jamie McCombe and Lee Collins out injured.
With Marc Richards completing a three-match suspension and Sean Rigg (hamstring) still out, on-loan striker Ben Williamson will again lead the attacking line alongside Tom Pope.
Williamson's brace in the 3-2 home defeat to Shrewsbury last weekend were the first goals of his Football League career.
Gary Roberts will not be involved after the midfielder was suspended by Adams following a serious breach of club discipline.
Matches
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npower League 2
Table
npower League 2
| Pos | Team | P | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gillingham | 46 | 83 |
| 2 | Rotherham United | 46 | 79 |
| 3 | Port Vale | 46 | 78 |
| 4 | Burton Albion | 46 | 76 |
| 5 | Cheltenham Town | 46 | 75 |
| 6 | Northampton Town | 46 | 73 |
| 7 | Bradford City | 46 | 69 |
| 8 | Chesterfield | 46 | 67 |
| 9 | Oxford United | 46 | 65 |
| 10 | Exeter City | 46 | 64 |
| 11 | Southend United | 46 | 61 |
| 12 | Rochdale | 46 | 61 |
| 13 | Fleetwood Town | 46 | 60 |
| 14 | Bristol Rovers | 46 | 60 |
| 15 | Wycombe Wanderers | 46 | 60 |
| 16 | Morecambe | 46 | 58 |
| 17 | York City | 46 | 55 |
| 18 | Accrington Stanley | 46 | 54 |
| 19 | Torquay United | 46 | 53 |
| 20 | AFC Wimbledon | 46 | 53 |
| 21 | Plymouth Argyle | 46 | 52 |
| 22 | Dagenham & Redbridge | 46 | 51 |
| 23 | Barnet | 46 | 51 |
| 24 | Aldershot Town | 46 | 48 |
