Matthews Making Progress

Dario Gradi has revealed that Lee Matthews is finally ready to participate in training this week, albeit in only two of the training sessions. The striker has endured a torrid time with injuries, but came to Crewe seeking rehabilitation after former Port Vale team-mate Michael Walsh successfully overcame his problems as a result of help from Crewe's physios.

The striker has spent the past few months at Crewe, but has been prevented from playing any football, as the club seek to ease him back into fitness. Gradi now sees Matthews as a potential signing to challenge Michael Higdon for the big striker role, with Matthews' boasting an impressive goalscoring record.

Meanwhile, Andy Morrell, whose agent had encouraged Crewe to sign the forward, has joined League One rivals Blackpool. Although only 5'11, Morrell's agent suggested he could challenge for either of Crewe's forward positions, be it as a smaller striker or a bigger man to hold the ball up. Blackpool have also made a £100k bid for Hull striker Ben Burgess, who Crewe have an interest in. The 6'3 forward's future remains in doubt despite Hull boss Phil Parkinson's insistence that he will remain at the club.

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