Crewe Alexandra vs Portsmouth - Ryan Lowe to return to Crewe starting line-up against Portsmouth

Ryan Lowe will return to the Crewe starting XI for their first home game of the season against Portsmouth.

Lowe scored in the opening-day win at Stevenage but was on the bench against Sheffield United in the EFL Cup. However, he still managed two goals as a substitute at Bramall Lane and will come back into the team in place of Callum Saunders.

Billy Bingham (ankle) had to come off against the Blades while George Cooper's hamstrings will be assessed, having fatigued late on in the extra-time victory.

On-loan Newcastle midfielder Liam Smith (ankle) will miss out but Ryan Wintle (tonsillitis) and Callum Ainley (groin) could come back into the squad.

Portsmouth manager Paul Cook completely changed his starting line-up for Tuesday's EFL Cup tie at Coventry, a 3-2 defeat for Pompey.

Cook is likely to ring the changes again as he looks to better last weekend's draw at home to Carlisle.

Defenders Matt Clarke (groin) and Brandon Haunstrup (collarbone) plus midfielder Ben Close (hamstring) remain sidelined.

Midfielder Amine Linganzi, who had been on trial at Fratton Park, signed a contract on Monday and started Tuesday's game. Goalkeeper Liam O'Brien also penned a deal at the start of the week but was on the bench against Coventry.