FORMER Crewe keeper Steve Collis will be offered the chance to resurrect his career in the Championship with Bristol City.

The 28-year-old has been training with the Robins since leaving Gresty Road at the turn of the year.

City boss Gary Johnson – who was Collis's manager in his Yeovil days – has been impressed and is preparing a short-term deal until the end of the season.

The prospect of regular football will end a miserable spell for the keeper, who was signed by former Alex boss Steve Holland on a free transfer from Southend in the summer of 2008.

But Collis fell out of favour under Gudjon Thordarson, with his only outing this season coming in the 5-3 defeat at Accrington Stanley last September.

Collis's agent, Rachel Anderson, says he has the ability to earn a permanent deal.

She said: "Steve has been with Bristol City for 10 days and has done well.

"They're considering giving him a deal, although they've got to do their finances. It's not been completed yet."

Joel Grant is in line to return when Crewe take on League Two's basement side Darlington at Gresty Road today (3pm). The winger has trained again after being left out of a midweek reserve outing.

Leading scorer Calvin Zola seems certain to return, after an eye injury forced his absence, at the expense of Shaun Miller.

Alex boss Dario Gradi said: "Calvin will play tomorrow and probably Joel as well.

"They give us something a bit different and we'll welcome them back.

"We can't replace like-for-like and we were doing well with them."

Young full-back Matt Tootle has shrugged off a knock, but midfielder James Bailey is still out.

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