Crewe vs Carlisle - Lowe blow for Crewe ahead of Carlisle visit

Posted Saturday, December 24, 2016 by PA

Crewe will be without leading scorer Ryan Lowe for the visit of title hopefuls Carlisle.

The eight-goal striker suffered a hamstring injury in the defeat at Cambridge and will miss out on Boxing Day, although it is hoped the 38-year-old will have recovered in time for the home game against Accrington on New Year's Eve.

Further bad injury news for Crewe this week saw Ben Nugent suffer a fractured cheekbone while playing for the Under-23 side and the defender will be unavailable for a while, although it is not yet known for how long.

Fellow defender George Ray is nearing a return from the groin injury that has kept him out in recent weeks.

Carlisle are in discussions with Newcastle about extending Macaulay Gillesphey's stay.

The defender, who also had a spell with the Cumbrians last season, is on loan for the first half of this campaign - currently until January 2.

Midfielder Joe McKee is a doubt with a hamstring injury while Mike Jones and Danny Grainger will also be assessed after sustaining knocks that ruled them out of Saturday's win over Yeovil.

Forweard Jabo Ibehre returned from a back problem at the weekend for Carlisle's seventh straight league home victory.