Crewe rocked by hernia injury to keeper Lawlor

Crewe Alexandra finds itself in turmoil following the injury of their starting goalkeeper, Ian Lawlor, just days before their League Two opener. The 31-year-old Dublin native has been sidelined since the Carabao Cup match against Accrington Stanley, where he couldn't play due to a hernia issue. Lawlor, who joined the club from Doncaster Rovers in January, was set to make 22 first-team appearances before his setback.

Tom Booth, who served as the first-choice keeper in the opening months of last season, took Booth's place in Saturday's game and is prepared to continue as the go-to goalkeeper for the upcoming match. To bolster their squad, the Alex have secured new contracts with two promising youngsters. Midfielder Owen Lunt, 21, and defender Stan Dancey, 19, both have signed deals with the option for an extension.

Lunt, who is the nephew of former Crewe player and coach Kenny Lunt, and Dancey, a Wales youth international, both made their first-team debuts last season.