Crewe Alexandra hope defender Dave Walton will return for Saturday's match at Brentford.

Walton has been sidelined with a calf strain and in his absence Crewe have suffered two draws and a defeat, conceding nine goals.

Dario Gradi's side let in two late goals against Notts County on Tuesday but remain in second place in the Division Two table.

Steve Foster is also due to undergo knee surgery.

But Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke that his side must improve over the next couple of games.

"Over the last week our defence has been lacking experience, and although the young ones have done alright, we have to stop shipping goals in." he said.