No striker deal yet as Alex seek winning return

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Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis hasn't been able to secure the signing of a young unnamed Premier League striker ahead of tonight's visit to Scunthorpe United (kick-off 7.45pm).

"It's a long time since I've had to come in the dressing room after a game and make a loser's speech" - Steve Davis

That follows teenage talent Max Clayton suffering bruising to his ribs during the weekend home loss to Notts County - Alex's first defeat in twenty-one league games.

Davis still hopes that Clayton will be fit for the Glanford Park clash and while the deal to bring in cover wasn't completed in time, it could yet precede the weekend trip to Brentford.

The visitors are still missing winger Michael West [heel] and defender Matt Tootle [groin] for this evening, although both are due back in training later in the week. But skipper Ashley Westwood should be fine despite taking an elbow to the side of the head at the weekend.

"It's a long time since I've had to come in the dressing room after a game and make a loser's speech," Davis told BBC Radio Stoke. "The standards the lads have set themselves are high and they were very disappointed that they didn't win the first league game.

"There are lessons to be learnt from Saturday but the players will take heart from the fact that there wasn't much between the teams,' he added. "They will take confidence from the fact that they now know they're good enough for this division."

Scunthorpe opened their league programme with a comprehensive 3-0 defeat at promoted Crawley Town. But that followed their remarkable
Capital One Cup victory at Championship side Derby County - eventually progressing through on penalties after a 5-5 draw at Pride Park.

The hosts are without the suspended Mark Duffy following his sending-off in their last game. Striker Connor Jennings hopes for a first start after recovering from a broken bone in his foot.

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