Crewe Alexandra vs Oldham Athletic AFC - Semi Ajayi set to make Crewe bow against Oldham

Semi Ajayi is in line to make his debut in Crewe's Sky Bet League One home clash with Oldham on Saturday after being brought in on loan by the bottom-of-the-table side in the wake of George Ray breaking his ankle.

Having lost Ray for around three months to the injury he suffered in Tuesday's 3-2 win at Colchester, the Alex shortly before Thursday's deadline announced they had recruited another defender in Cardiff's Ajayi in a deal to January 5.

Crewe also have captain Harry Davis (knee) still a number of weeks away from being ready for his return to action, while another defender, Stephen Kingsley, made the final appearance of his loan spell for the club as Ray's replacement on Tuesday and has now gone back to Swansea.

Lauri Dalla Valle (neck) and Brad Inman (rested) could make their returns to action on Saturday, but David Fox (back), Chris Atkinson (quad) and Dave Richards (foot) remain sidelined.

Oldham's Jake Cassidy could make his first appearance in three months.

The forward chipped a bone in his ankle in the Latics' 2-1 win over Fleetwood in August, but is now nearing full fitness ahead of Saturday's game.

Midfielder Mike Jones could return to the starting XI after being named on the substitutes' bench for the 5-2 loss to Southend on Tuesday.

Richie Wellens is also in contention to start after re-signing from his old club on loan from Doncaster.