Zola has started all three Crewe matches this season

Crewe striker Calvin Zola has injured his knee in training and looks set to miss Saturday's game with Barnet.

Zola hurt himself as he attempted to control the ball during training.

Alex manager Dario Gradi says he does not yet know how long the 25-year-old will be out but the injury does not look as bad as first feared.

"When he walked off it looked like he'd be out for nine months. But knowing Calvin it probably isn't as bad as that," he told BBC Radio Stoke.

Zola has started each of Crewe's three competitive games this season but Gradi admits that his absence could provide an opportunity for one of the club's other strikers.

The Crewe manager has stuck with the same starting 11 who began the defeat by Hereford on the opening day of the League Two season but Nick Powell, Ajay Leitch-Smith and Byron Moore have all featured as substitutes.

"We've got forwards queuing up to get into the team, so if he isn't fit to play it will be an opportunity for somebody else," he said.

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