Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell has issued an update on injured midfielder Jack Powell as he nears a return to fitness.
The 30-year-old has been on the sidelines for over a year since picking up a serious knee injury against Stockport County in October 2023 but isn’t far from getting back on the field.
While a senior return may be further away, Powell hasn’t been ruled out of the Railwaymen’s under-21 fixture on Monday. While manager Bell says Powell’s recovery is encouraging, he won’t be rushed back to action too quickly.
Speaking to BBC Radio Stoke, Bell said, “We’ve got to manage Jack Powell.
“It will be excellent to see him on the pitch next week and the week after with the under-21s, but that will be managed. He will be champing at the bit to be involved in the first team, but we’ve got to look after him.”
The midfielder only joined the Cheshire outfit from Crawley Town in summer 2023, so his appearances have been severely limited by this injury. He played only 17 times for the club before being ruled out of action, scoring once, and Crewe fans will hope he can return to the player he was before the fitness setback. The club are currently suffering from somewhat of an injury crisis, so Powell’s imminent return will be a welcome boost to squad numbers. The likes of Omar Bogle and Conor Thomas have both been struck down by injury recently, with the Alex needing all the depth they can get as the season intensifies
The League Two outfit currently lie 9th in the fourth tier after a strong run of form that has seen them drive up the table after a tough start. Having missed out on promotion via the play-offs last year, Crewe will be hoping to go one better this time around, and having Powell back will help those efforts no end.
Writer’s View
This is encouraging news for Crewe. It’s a cliché but Powell really will be like a new signing, having barely got going before injury last season. It’s unlikely, though, that he will be thrust straight into the team. Crewe are in great form and Lee Bell will be reluctant to change a winning team. Powell will be on standby and will likely come in if someone gets injured or drops off in performances, and provides an extra bit of depth and quality, which will only serve as a positive for Crewe as they go for promotion.
