CASE FOR DEFENCE ALEX skipper Julien Baudet is a doubtful starter after aggravating a hamstring at Yeovil. Chris McCready has been easing his way back to fitness, and a trip to his former club could be the time to throw him back into the fray.

Steve Holland will want to tighten up a back four which again erred at Yeovil, and he might be tempted to recall Danny O'Donnell or even use Jon Brayford at right-back after a shaky performance from Danny Woodards.

Rovers are likely to pitch former Alex trialist Bas Savage up front alone again.

He is an awkward foil for an attack which carries a potent force from the flanks in Chris Shuker and Ian Moore.

MIDFIELD BATTLES MICHAEL O'Connor is precariously poised over a one-game ban after picking up four bookings. But Crewe will need his competitive edge to the fore against a hard-working Tranmere side. Antony Kay and Steve Jennings are feisty competitors in the middle of the park. Crewe need to get a foothold for a change, which also means more consistent displays from Mark Carrington and James Bailey. Byron Moore could be in contention for a recall in a wide role, possibly on the right. Shaun Miller, who grabbed his second goal in consecutive games with the equaliser at Yeovil, will have done enough from his displays against the MK Dons and Yeovil to feature again on the left side.

CUTTING EDGE ANTHONY Elding's work from the bench at Yeovil is likely to be enough to win him a recall, probably in place of Calvin Zola who was way off the pace in midweek.

The problem for Holland is the continual shifting of his frontline. He needs to settle on a preferred combination.

Clayton Donaldson has shown signs he has pace to burn in both his starts. With some extra finesse around the box the former York and Hibernian man could be close to making an impact. Tranmere are big and powerful at the back where Ian Goodison and Ben Chorley cut uncompromising figures. Perhaps a change of emphasis is needed. Were Zola to be left out it might encourage the back players and midfield to utilise Miller and Donaldson's strengths more.