Adam Rooney vying for starting role when Salford take on Crewe

Posted Wednesday, December 25, 2019 by PA

Adam Rooney will hope his late equaliser against Bradford last time out earns him a start when Salford host Crewe on Boxing Day.

The Ammies are without a win in five League Two games and Rooney, a half-time replacement for Luke Armstrong at Valley Parade, is their only goalscorer in that time as his goal added to a brace against Swindon on November 16.

Salford, promoted from the National League last season, are 14th in the table as they seek a return to winning ways.

The return to the Peninsula Stadium will not necessarily help them – their last two league wins both came away from home, at Newport and Mansfield.

Crewe manager David Artell hopes to have a full complement of attacking options despite Chuma Anene suffering a slight knock in the 5-1 win at Stevenage.

The Norwegian scored twice and completed the 90 minutes, and Artell plans to “wrap him up in cotton wool” to ensure he is available for the Christmas fixture.

Artell also hinted that top scorer Chris Porter could be available after his recent hamstring injury.

Defenders Olly Lancashire (Achilles) and Rio Adebisi (ankle) continue their rehabilitation along with young forward Lewis Reilly (knee).