Gradi's side have lost their last nine matches away from home

Crewe Alexandra manager Dario Gradi has said he will only include his talented youngsters in the first-team squad if they are likely to improve the team.

Nick Powell, Max Clayton and Ben Garrett were all on duty with the England Under-17 team while the Alex were losing 1-0 at Hereford on Sunday.

With Crewe's play-off hopes fading, Gradi could have been tempted to give the youngsters first-team experience.

But he told BBC Radio Stoke: "I'll only pick them if they improve the team."

Striker Powell, 17, has made one start and 16 appearances from the bench for the first team this season, while fellow forward Clayton and goalkeeper Garrett have yet to make their full debuts.

Even though Crewe are seven points adrift of the top seven, Gradi still has not given up hope of achieving a play-off place.

"If we win all seven, I think we'll be in the play-offs," said the 69-year-old manager. "We'll go until it's not possible, so on Saturday [against Cheltenham] I'll pick the best team I can pick."

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