Ryan Lowe: On-loan Crewe striker moves closer to double century

Lowe hit 17 goals in 74 games, 17 of them as sub, in two seasons at Gresty Road from 2006 to 2008

Veteran striker Ryan Lowe hopes there are more goals to come following his scoring return to Crewe Alexandra.

Lowe made an instant impact after being loaned back by League One rivals Bury, coming off the bench to hit Tuesday's injury-time winner at Colchester.

The 37-year-old Liverpudlian is now close to a notable scoring milestone after spells at eight different clubs.

"I'm not ready to hang up my boots up yet," he told BBC Radio Stoke. "I'm now just five off 200 career goals."

Alex boss Steve Davis first tried to bring Lowe back to Gresty Road three years ago when he was at MK Dons, but in a frustrating season when Crewe are struggling at the foot of League One, it appears that his timing could not have been better.

"He squared across for the equaliser, then scored the winner," Davis told BBC Radio Stoke. "You can't do more than that. But it's what you expect from him. He's a goal scorer.

"He's had a calf injury. He's been out of the Bury team and is just short of matches. Half a game was enough for him. But, If we can get him fit and firing, he'll be a great asset for us. Not just on the pitch but off the field too. He's a great lad to have around."

"I'm buzzing for the manager," added Lowe. "He's come in for a lot of criticism, but he's the right man. This is the Crewe way.

"I have to say a big thank you to the chairman John Bowler and to Steve Davis for giving me the opportunity. I could have gone to the majority of clubs in League Two to play games, but I wanted to come here.

"You question whether you can do it, but I've got good friends and family behind me. It might take me two weeks to get my full sharpness. but I feel this is the right place for me."

Ryan Lowe's career record

After starting at non-league Burscough, boyhood Liverpool fan Ryan Lowe did not make his Football League debut until he was almost 22.

He made his name with Shrewsbury Town as a winger before the first of two spells at Chester City, during which he went out on loan to Stockport, followed by moves to Crewe, Bury, Sheffield Wednesday, MK Dons, Tranmere Rovers and then back to Gigg Lane.

In that time, he has scored 162 league goals, nine in the Conference during Shrewsbury's one season in the fifth tier, seven in the FA Cup, seven in the League Cup and 10 in the Football League Trophy.