O'Donnell (r) joined Crewe from Liverpool in 2006 (Getty)

Crewe defender Danny O'Donnell will get the chance to prove he is worth a place in Steve Holland's first team when the Alex face Walsall on Saturday.

O'Donnell will replace the injured Chris McCready in the centre of a defence that has conceded six goals in their first two games in League One.

Holland told BBC Radio Stoke: "Danny's very determined not to be dismissed.

"He's been telling me not to write him off, and he'll get the chance to stake his claim against Walsall."

O'Donnell made 20 starts for Crewe in 2007/8 but has not featured in their opening three games of the campaign.

Injury has also ruled George Abbey out of the Walsall match, meaning Scott McManus, who signed from non-league Curzon Ashton on Tuesday, could be on the bench at the Alexandra Stadium.

One bonus for Holland is that new striker Clayton Donaldson will be available for selection, after he received international clearance following his move from SPL side Hibernian.