Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper Ian Lawlor has undergone hernia surgery, ruling him out of the League Two season opener. The 31-year-old missed Saturday's Carabao Cup win over Accrington Stanley and will be absent for the trip to Crawley Town this weekend.
Tom Booth, who started the first half of last season in goal, will step in. Booth kept a clean sheet in the recent cup victory. The club has also secured the futures of two young talents, midfielder Owen Lunt and defender Stan Dancey, on new contracts.
Tom Booth is a 22-year-old academy graduate who has been with Crewe since the age of nine. He made his senior debut in the 2022-23 season and started 23 league games last term. According to the club's squad data, Booth stands at 6ft 3in and has represented England at youth level. His experience from last season makes him a ready-made replacement.
Midfielder Owen Lunt, 21, has signed a new two-year deal with the club. The nephew of former Crewe player and coach Kenny Lunt, he broke into the first team last season. Defender Stan Dancey, a 19-year-old Wales youth international, has agreed to a one-year contract with an option for a further 12 months. Both players are seen as key parts of the club's future.
The injury to Lawlor tests Crewe's goalkeeping resources early in the campaign. With Booth now the clear number one, the backup options include young keeper James Beadle, who is currently on the injuries list with a minor issue. The club's strategy of developing and retaining young players is evident in the new deals for Lunt and Dancey. This approach aims to build a competitive squad without relying heavily on the transfer market.
Looking at the current roster, Crewe have a blend of youth and experience. Key players like captain Luke Offord and top scorer Chris Long provide leadership, while the new contracts for Lunt and Dancey secure promising assets. The team's immediate focus shifts to the Crawley game, the first of 46 league fixtures detailed on the fixtures page. Manager Lee Bell will need his squad to adapt quickly to this early-season setback.
