TOWN will be hoping inside knowledge is power as they prepare to take on Crewe at the Galpharm tomorrow.

Blackburn loan man Andy Taylor is set to make his fourth appearance at left-back - after playing six times for the Alex earlier in the season.

The 21-year-old's outings under legendary manager Dario Gradi (the country's longest-serving football boss has been at the helm since June 1983) included an exciting Carling Cup third-round showdown with Manchester United.

Crewe gave United a tough time before going down to Kieran Lee's strike two minutes from the end of extra-time at Gresty Road.

Gradi was keen to keep Taylor after his initial spell ended with a Johnstone's Paint Trophy win at Port Vale on November 29, but Blackburn wanted him back because of injuries.

New signings in January meant Mark Hughes was willing to let him go out again - and Town chief Peter Jackson, who has confirmed he wants to keep Taylor for a second month (see opposite page), will hope for a few pointers about Crewe's threat.

Things are certainly picking up for the Alex, who came down from the Championship last season.

Tuesday's 2-1 home win over Doncaster, sealed by Mike Higdon's late strike, kept them a point and a place behind Town, who are 12th in the League I table.

The victory, which provided revenge for JPT Northern final elimination by Rovers, was Crewe's third in a row in the league and their fifth in seven.

That run has lifted them from the fringe of the relegation zone, with fans now hoping for a late push for the play-offs.

On Tuesday, the Alex faithful were even singing the praises of Higdon, who has been on the receiving end of criticism this season.

That pleased Gradi, who said: "For Mike to score made it a great night.

"He has stood firm and worked hard on his game.

"We always thought he could score goals from his days in the Academy."

Higdon came on as a substitute for Ryan Lowe, who had started as part of a three-man frontline with Rodney Jack and 23-goal Luke Varney.

Gradi has another striker, Nicky Maynard, pushing for a place tomorrow.

The homegrown 20-year-old, whose 16-goal haul includes both Alex strikes in their 2-0 home win over Town on September 2, has been hampered by a hamstring injury.

Also in contention is Welsh international midfielder David Vaughan.

He is fit again after a groin problem, and could oust Ben Rix for the left-sided slot (Lowe appears to be at threat should Maynard return).

Definitely out for the Alex is highly-rated ex-Liverpool right-back Jon Otsemobor.

He faces a month on the sidelines after damaging a hamstring on Tuesday.

Former Exeter player Danny Woodards steps in.

FRANK SINCLAIR will lead Town out against Crewe at the Galpharm tomorrow emphasising the need to maintain focus for the full 90 minutes against League I's late-win specialists.

With stand-in skipper Andy Booth ruled out for a second game with a calf tear, the former Burnley captain will again take the armband for a match which is crucial to both sides' hopes of making the play-offs.

Sinclair guided Town to a 3-2 win at Rotherham on Tuesday, when he become the fifth player to captain the club this season (Jon Worthington, the first choice, and Nathan Clarke are both injured while Martin McIntosh is out of favour).

With Crewe just a place and a point behind the Galpharm side, who are 12th, the seasoned 35-year-old knows a follow-up victory is crucial for Town, who have drafted Academy midfielder James Berrett (above) as well as new loan signing Paul Hayes a preliminary 18-man squad for the match.

It won't be easy, because Dario Gradi's side have won three league games on the bounce, the last two (against Bradford and Doncaster) with last-gasp goals.

They can also boast victories in each of their last three away league games (2-0 at Carlisle, 2-1 at Northampton and 1-0 at Bradford last Saturday).

While Gradi has 16-goal striker Nicky Maynard and Welsh international midfielder David Vaughan pushing for recalls after hamstring and groin injuries respectively, Jackson's resources are stretched, even allowing for Hayes' arrival.

Ruled out alongside Booth, who continues to struggle with a problem picked up in training on Monday, are right-back Andy Holdsworth and midfielder Danny Schofield, both of whom serve one-match bans.

Jackson said of Berrett: "He's shown good form and a good attitude in the Reserves, and this experience will be good for him."