Crewe Alexandra: Nathan Ellington hoping to play his part against Sheffield United

NATHAN Ellington says he is ready to roar again after two months on the sidelines.

The 31-year-old striker could make his Crewe debut against Sheffield United tonight after being on bench duty for the 2-1 victory at Colchester on Saturday.

It will be his first taste of senior football since the last game of a frustrating loan spell at Scunthorpe United in January, just before he left parent club Ipswich by mutual consent.

He has won a deal with the Gresty Road outfit until the end of the season after impressing on trial by scoring in each of his four games as an overage player for the club's under-21s side.

Ellington knows it will be a very different challenge to playing in the Development League if he gets to pull on his boots against one of League One's best defences.

But he reckons he can help topple the Blades after receiving the backing of his new boss Steve Davis.

"It felt great to be part of a squad again," said Ellington, who signed his deal to join the club permanently last week.

"To go away and get a win was the icing on the cake.

"There is nothing better than being a player involved on a match day. You can't replicate that feeling.

"I'm here to play and score as many goals as I can. I've been enjoying myself since I arrived here and I want to be successful for myself and the team.

"I haven't played that much recently, but I still feel I can do well, and the manager feels that too.

"Everything seems to fit with this club and I'm happy to be part of it."

Ellington may be asked to start on the bench again if Max Clayton and Ajay Leitch-Smith are to carry on with their newly reformed strike partnership.

Clayton was arguably Crewe's brightest spark in the win at Colchester, and could get the nod for his first home league start since early last month.

However, Chuks Aneke (knee) returns to the fold seeking to regain one of four attacking slots.

The Alex have no fresh problems on the injury front, with midfielders Brad Inman (ankle) and Mike West (hip) expected to return to training later this week.

It is a chance for Davis to pit his wits against one of his former bosses, Danny Wilson, who was his manager at Barnsley in the 1990s.

Wilson could take his side top of the table by the end of the night if they claim three points and Doncaster Rovers slip up at home against Carlisle United.

Davis said: "He got Barnsley to the Premier League so he knows what it's like to get promoted, and I'm sure that experience will be invaluable for the players.

"He knows what's needed and that experience will rub off on the squad.

"He's a good guy, I enjoyed working under him. He's a passionate winner."

United drew 0-0 at home to MK Dons last time out, but have won five of their last seven games in going 542 minutes without conceding a goal.

Wilson said: "Crewe have done very well this season. Steve's done well there.

"It looks like they're safe having got to that magic 50-point mark they all talk about.

"It may make them relax a bit more, which can work one of two ways. It can make it too relaxed or they could play with a freedom which can make them dangerous.

"Mathias Pogba has had a very good season from that wide position, Byron Moore has done well, they've brought in Ellington ... they've got threats in the team, but we've looked very solid and we have to maintain that."