CREWE are assessing an injury to Scott Kashket while making plans for a Papa John's Trophy visit from Wigan.

Kashket limped out of Saturday's home draw (2-2) with Cambridge United after suffering from a muscle spasm.

Crewe's efforts to pull clear of the League One drop zone have been hit by injuries to striker Chris Long and on-loan Manchester City teenager Ben Knight. Callum Ainley joined the treatment room last week after suffering a hamstring tear which could keep him out for at least a month.

Kashket has cut an impressive figure on the right flank since signing in August and scored his first goal for the club with a sublime finish at Plymouth last Tuesday evening.

Alex boss Dave Artell admitted: "We're hoping that Scott's injury is not that serious. He had a muscle spasm in his backside.

"We will assess him in the next couple of days."

Artell is preparing to draft in Callum McFadzean and most recent recruit Madger Gomes for tomorrow's visit of League One's current leaders (K.O 7pm).

But he is mindful of making too many changes against the Latics who can boast a strong squad as he wants to make progress in the competition, having won the opening game of the mini-league - which also includes Wolves under-21s - at Shrewsbury (1-0).

"If we win tomorrow we'll go through and we get £10,000 so it's not to be sniffed at. It's going to be a tough game against a big club in this league. We've got to make sure we perform as Wigan will always be strong as they've got a strong squad."

And the Alex manager added: "Some players need a game and some players don't need a game, but they will definitely play. We've got to take into account Wigan.

"But they [players coming in] will have an opportunity to impress. I tell the players that they are like the self-employed, but in a team sport."