Cheltenham Town boss Keith Downing will once again be without on-loan midfielder Alex Russell for the trip to fellow strugglers Crewe.The 35-year-old has missed the Robins' last six games with a stomach injury and underwent a scan on Monday after a nerve-blocking injection failed to resolve the injury.

Downing believes that Russell could return before the end of the season but has decided against risking the Bristol City man.

Veteran defender Alan Wright (Achilles) and striker Ashley Vincent (knee) have recently been sidelined, but both have a chance of making the squad to face the Railwaymen after returning to training this week.

Michael Townsend (illness), Gavin Caines (knee) and John Finnigan (ankle) are all expected to remain on the sidelines.

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