Crewe lose defender Connolly to hamstring injury

James Connolly has appeared in 20 of the Alex's 24 League Two games this season

League Two promotion-chasers Crewe Alexandra have lost James Connolly to a torn hamstring.

After suffering the injury in Sunday's 4-1 win over Bromley, the 23-year-old underwent a scan, with the full extent of his absence still to be revealed.

Manager Lee Bell told BBC Radio Stoke: "James has got a hamstring tear. He's been for a scan and he'll have a couple of injections.

"He will be assessed again over the next week and then we'll have a real picture of how long we're going to be missing him for. He's going to be out for a few weeks.

"He was showing some good form, so I'm really disappointed for him. He's been part of a lot of clean sheets for us this season."

The Alex's second straight league win on Sunday lifted them up to second place in the table - 10 points behind runaway leaders Walsall.

But the Boxing Day defeat at Cheltenham was their only defeat in the past 16 league games - and they have now also had better news about two missing players.

Striker Kane Hemmings, who has been out of action since late September with a foot injury, is close to being to back in training next week, while midfielder Conor Thomas still has a chance of being involved again this season after his knee injury in late October.

"Conor will have his brace off in the next week," added Bell. "Then it will be down to how he's feeling. We'll go and see a consultant to come up with a plan. We're hopeful it's not too long.

"Hopefully, we'll have Kane involved in training at some point next week. We're hopeful to have him somewhere near the squad in the next couple of weeks."

Meanwhile, teenage midfielder Matus Holicek has signed a new two-and-a-half-year deal at Gresty Road.

It includes an option for a further 12 months, which could tie the homegrown Slovakia Under-19 international to the club until at least 2028.