Crewe Alexandra vs Port Vale preview - Ness boost for Crewe

Jamie Ness could be welcomed back into the Crewe fold for the derby contest with Port Vale in Sky Bet League One.

The on-loan Stoke midfielder has returned to the Alex following a hamstring injury, although he tweaked his quadriceps in midweek so manager Steve Davis is exercising caution.

Davis will also be keeping a close eye on Canada's Marcus Haber, Wales' George Ray and Northern Ireland's Liam Nolan after the three were away on international duty last weekend.

Young forward Ryan Colclough (hip) is nearing a comeback but defender Harry Davis (knee) will not return until next month.

Vale midfielder Michael O'Connor looks like being fit.

The Northern Ireland international was rated doubtful for the game when he was forced off with an ankle injury at Peterborough last weekend. However, scans showed no serious damage and he trained with the rest of the squad on Thursday.

O'Connor's availability leaves manager Micky Adams to decide whether to play him as part of a 4-3-3 system, as he did against Posh, or switch to a 4-4-2 formation. The latter would mean Michael Brown or Steven Jennings dropping out of the midfield with Jordan Slew likely to partner Tom Pope up front.

New striker Achille Campion is Adams' only other injury concern. The Frenchman has a thigh strain.