Crewe forward Nicky Maynard is expected to return to first-team coach Steve Holland's squad for the visit of struggling Port Vale on Tuesday.Maynard missed Saturday's 0-0 draw with Nottingham Forest with a hamstring injury but the striker has returned to training and comes into contention.

However, the Railwaymen will be without Julian Baudet who has suffered a slight thigh strain and long-term absentee Billy Jones remains sidelined with a knee problem.

Gary Roberts returns to the squad after being left out for disciplinary reasons, while his on-loan namesake is currently back at parent club Ipswich receiving treatment on an Achilles problem. But Roberts would have been ineligible to play anyway under the current terms of his deal, which runs out on Monday.

Steven Schumacher could play after a foot problem ruled him out against Forest but the game comes too soon for Shaun Miller (ankle), however the forward could resume training by the end of the week.

Loan arrivals Joe Anyinsah and Dean Morgan came through their weekend debuts unscathed and will hope to again be involved but Neil Cox (shoulder) and Ben Rix (hip) are out.

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