CREWE are hoping teenage defender Matt Tootle is passed fit for tomorrow's trip to Torquay (3pm).

The left-back suffered a dead-leg in Tuesday night's 4-2 victory over Grimsby and his absence would pose Dario Gradi a conundrum.

With Ashley Westwood settled in a midfield role, the manager might have to recall Billy Jones.

Crewe's former skipper failed to seal a transfer window move and hasn't even made the bench since the Christmas trip to Macclesfield.

Tootle's midweek replacement, Carl Martin, starts a three-game ban after his late dismissal with Gradi's condemnation ringing in his ears.

The Crewe boss said: "Carl will obviously get another chance, because he has done well, but what he did was ultra-stupid. It could have cost us the game."

Gradi has still not completely written off a late dash for a play-off spot, despite his side being nine points adrift.

"We've gone three games unbeaten, but we need to be winning these games now," he added.

Doubts still remain over Calvin Zola's availability, but midweek goalscorer Joel Grant wants to add to his eight-goal tally.

CREWE under-18s host Sunderland at Reaseheath in the FA Premier Academy League tomorrow (11am).

Big match preview: Page 54