Crewe manager Dario Gradi says there is one aspect of Saturday's game against Oxford that he is not looking forward to – meeting up again with U’s defenders Anthony Tonkin and Harry Worley.

The pair both had spells at Crewe, Tonkin was there for three seasons, while Worley was released by the Railwaymen at the end of last season after 22 appearances.

Gradi told the club’s official website: “I never particularly like it when former players return to play against us.

“It has happened quite a lot already this season and the results have been favourable so far.

“Harry was with us last season. He was brought in on loan by Gudjon (Thordarson) and I had to wait for him to play for me because was injured.

“I am glad Anthony has come again and got into the league.

“He was a good player for us and I always thought he was a player who would possibly get better with age. He just ran out of time a bit here.

Gradi, who has developed a host of players at Gresty Road, with the latest Luke Varney, making his debut for Premier League new boys Blackpool, added: “It always seems to create more interest when old players come back and it should be the same on Saturday.”