Bell returned to Crewe in the summer after a four-year absence

Crewe midfielder Lee Bell believes his team will cope with the anticipated physical approach from Port Vale in Saturday's derby game.

"I don't mind tackling. If they think that's the way to get the upper hand so be it," Bell told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We'll play our game. I look forward to the physical side of it. We get that a lot but we aren't doing too badly."

Crewe go into the game as the highest scorers in England, with 30 goals, and are unbeaten in 11 games in League Two.

"The game is not going to define our season and it won't define theirs either," Bell added.

"It'll give people bragging rights for a few days but we'll try to do our talking on the pitch."

The Vale-Crewe fixtures are always competitive derbies and there is extra spice to Saturday's following the Alex's controversial 1-0 win in Burslem in March.

There is full commentary on Port Vale v Crewe Alexandra on BBC Radio Stoke 1503 MW and DAB from 1500 BST.

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