Midfield woes for Gradi

Crewe Alexandra midfielder Ben Rix has suffered a broken wrist which is likely to require surgery.

Rix missed last Saturday's 1-0 defeat to Gillingham and will also sit out Tuesday's trip to Millwall.

The injury is expected to require an operation to heal fully, but Alex boss Dario Gradi hopes to delay surgery until the end of the season.

Gradi is currently without midfielders Michael O'Connor and David Vaughan, so is hoping Rix can play through the pain for the time being.

"Ben's injury is one of those that wouldn't stop him playing football as such but it is very painful when he runs with it," Gradi told the club's official website.

"He has been on the treadmill this weekend and it is just a question of trying to deal with the pain.

"He will have another X-Ray this week to assess if he will need an operation on it. It is looking more that way because it is a bone that won't heal itself.

"We might try to delay it until the end of the season. It is nothing too serious but it won't heal without an operation."