Clayton Donaldson has scored 16 goals for Crewe this season

Crewe assistant manager Steve Davis has told his strikers to prove they are worth a start in place of the suspended Clayton Donaldson against Accrington.

Donaldson was sent off for violent conduct during the 2-1 home victory over Bradford on Tuesday night and will be banned for three matches.

Davis told BBC Radio Stoke: "It gives them an opportunity to stake a claim and keep their place in the side."

AJ Leitch-Smith is likely to partner Shaun Miller up front on Saturday.

Manager Dario Gradi could also call upon former Lancaster striker Jordan Connerton or 16-year-old Nick Powell, neither of whom have made a league start for the Alex.

Leitch-Smith, 20, has scored twice in nine appearances this season, although his only start came in the 5-5 draw at Chesterfield in October.

The Alex have been boosted, however, by the return to fitness of Mat Mitchel-King, who played around an hour in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Aston Villa on Wednesday.

The former Histon defender has not featured at first-team level since 6 November.

"He came through fine," said Davis. "He was stiffening up a little bit towards half time so I didn't risk him much beyond another quarter of an hour.

"We're going to have to ease him in and wrap a bit of cotton wool around him to protect him because we are going to need him at some point."

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