LET BATTLE COMMENCE! (From Warrington Guardian)

LET BATTLE COMMENCE!

FANS, players and coaches are all set for one of Crewe's most important derby games for years as they entertain Port Vale on Saturday.

The battle, which is never short on passion and excitement, this year has the added pressure of coming in the midst of a terrifyingly tight relegation dogfight.

An unexpectedly prosperous Easter period has pulled the Alex up to third-bottom of Division 1 and just one point behind the Valiants, who are hanging perilously above the drop zone.

But assistant manager Neil Baker refused to accept the encounter was a "must-win" game.

"It's another tough important game for both clubs but I don't think the result will decide either team's future this season," he said.

"It has been an excellent Easter for us and to bounce back like we did after the two 3-0 defeats, I think, speaks volumes about the players.

"We were disappointed that the weekend's results didn't go very well for us and we are still going to have to rely on other teams, but we have to make sure that if they drop points we can capitalise on that.

"The standard of the league is higher this year and all the teams at the bottom are capable of winning two or three games on the run, but I think we have every chance of staying up."

Baker said the only injury doubt ahead of the vital clash was over midfielder Phil Charnock, who picked up a dead leg in the win at West Brom on Monday.

"It will be touch and go as to whether he plays because it can go either way with a dead leg," he said.

"But if Phil misses out we have plenty of options. We could drop Danny Murphy back into midfield or we could bring Kevin Street in as a straight swap."

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