Crewe Alexandra vs Blackpool - Lauri Dalla Valle back in Crewe contention

Crewe striker Lauri Dalla Valle is set to make his first-team return in the Sky Bet League One clash at home to Blackpool.

Dalla Valle, who has been out since early November due to an ankle injury, stepped up his rehabilitation this week with a run-out for the club's under-21s.

The Alex are also set to have Brad Inman back for the match - which pits the 23rd-placed hosts against opponents who are one place above them in the table - after the midfielder missed last Saturday's 3-0 loss at Gillingham with a groin complaint.

Callum Saunders (knee) and Ryan Wintle (foot) remain unavailable.

Blackpool should make the trip with Clark Robertson in their squad.

The defender is "almost" recovered from his hamstring strain, according to boss Neil McDonald, whose team have not won since January.

However, the contest at Gresty Road comes too soon for David Ferguson (knee), while Henry Cameron (knee) has been ruled out for the campaign.

Back-up goalkeeper Dean Lyness will return to Burton at the end of his loan spell next week and Emmerson Boyce will be available for the final time before linking up with Barbados over the international period.