RIO Adebisi is set to offer Crewe another option on the right of a back four hit by injuries to key players.

The 20-year-old made his Alex debut against Aston Villa in the Caraboa Cup in August 2019, but was only making his fourth league start when he was drafted in at right-back for Saturday's defeat (0-3) at Lincoln City.

The youngster had to battle back to fitness after undergoing ankle surgery last year, but he was Crewe's best performer on a day of underachievement at Sincil Bank.

With Donervon Daniels recovering from a hamstring problem and a doubtful starter against Doncaster tomorrow night (K.O 7pm), Adebisi could get another opportunity to show the progress he is making.

Assistant manager Kenny Lunt said: "On a day when so many were underperforming Rio was our best player. He's played all over for the Academy and he would have played right-back, but he wouldn't have expected to do so in the first team.

"But he got his chance and he did well. He's coming along nicely and he was one of our best performers on the day. He made his debut against Villa last season and he's had a couple of games here and there. If he can be consistent he'll keep his place."

Daniels is back in light training as is Luke Offord, but the latter is some way off making a return to defensive duty.

Adebisi said: "I don't mind playing at right-back as I'm comfortable on both sides.

"I was out at the start of the season. I'm happy as it helps me get some game time to make progress."

Up front, Alex boss Dave Artell has tweaked his formation in recent games, but was only able to use Mikael Mandron off the bench at Lincoln.

The Frenchman is expected to be fit enough to start against Doncaster, but whether that will be alongside Chris Porter remains to be be seen.

"We made changes to the system and when we have played with the two big forwards we might have looked a bit different. But on Saturday that was down to the way Lincoln played, and all credit to them as we should have been better," added Lunt.

"We should have been a bit better to break them down, as well as being more competitive on the ball.

"We've got to learn from it. It's not happened too often and hopefully it will be a long time before it happens again. It is good to have a game coming so soon after a loss like that.

And Crewe's assistant manager added: "We've had a tough run of fixtures and we probably deserve more than we've got when you consider we've lost points in the last minutes against Sunderland and Swindon."

Meanwhile, Callum Ainley is moving closer to a return after coming through Sunday's under-23 draw (2-2) with Sheffield Wednesday at Nantwich Town, a game in which the attacker scored and won a penalty in a stellar show.