Lunt backs Blues to get promoted

KENNY Lunt will be hoping to repeat his goal heroics against Ipswich Town today but still feels the Blues will be promotion prospects in May, writes Derek Davis.

The Crewe Alexandra midfielder scored the only goal of the game at Gresty Road in August during a run of six games without a win for the Blues.

He said: "It was nice to score against them earlier in the season and get the win but they were undoubtedly one of the best sides we have faced this season. When they came to Gresty Road they were near the bottom of the table and most of us could not believe the start they had.

"It is no surprise to see they have recovered and are now near the top places again. We know they will be up there towards the end of the season and this will be a difficult game for us."

A number of scouts are expected to be taking another look at David Wright and Dean Ashton today, with Charlton and Fulham considering making another move for Wright.

Crewe have surprised many by their relatively lofty position after starting the season as relegation probables but are now pushing towards the play-off places.

Lunt said: "We were always confident that if we got a good start we could finish mid-table. Anyone can beat anyone in this league. We have not really spoken about the play-offs or the points we have got so far.

"We just try and win each game and hopefully our form in the first half of the season can continue in the second half."

Losing to Telford in the FA Cup was a big blow but their league form is steady and Crewe have not lost in their past four away matches.

But they are struggling with injuries, with skipper Dave Brammer, Dave Vaughan and Chris McCready long-term casualties.

With so many players injured, experienced Crewe midfielder Neil Sorvel has been told to seize his chance at Ipswich today.

Sorvel returned from injury in Alex's single-goal victory over Wimbldeon last week and knows he needs to put in another good showing today and cement his place.

Dario Gradi says the 30-year-old, who last started on November 8 at Gillingham, is a ready-made replacement for influential Justin Cochrane, who has been ruled out for several weeks with a hamstring injury. The Alex boss put on hold his quest for a loan midfielder in the knowledge Sorvel is nearing match fitness after a long lay-off.

Gradi said: "That was the first bit of football Neil has played. We have missed that bit of experience in midfield and having him back will stand us in good stead at Ipswich.

"It is also a chance for him to re-establish himself. He will find it hard, but with another week's training under his belt he should be all right. I don't think I could do any better than Neil in the loan market."

After signing a new two-year deal last summer, Sorvel has endured a stop-start campaign. A pre-season injury kept him out at the kick-off and allowed new recruit Cochrane to make the position as Brammer's partner his own.

And when he did take advantage of Brammer's absence through injury, he was only able to start eight games before he was sidelined by a serious ankle injury.

And young striker Luke Varney has undergone the surgery he was advised to have after dislocating his shoulder against Telford.

He will be ruled out until mid-April at least.