STEVE Davis wants Ryan Colclough to repay the faith he has shown in him and help keep Crewe Alexandra in League One this season.

The 20-year-old did not train with the squad on Monday after another blip – turning in late just 48 hours after firing the Alex to a shock 2-1 win at Bramhall Lane against Sheffield United on Saturday.

Colclough's last-gasp winner in Yorkshire saw the Railwaymen claw their way back out of the relegation zone.

And after disciplining the striker, Davis admits it is a challenge to get him firing on all cylinders.

“I’ve had to manage him differently at times, depending on what happens that week,” he said.

“There’s always something different with Ryan.

“It’s a challenge and I’ve always tried to be positive and help him.

“He’s gone through some difficult times and I’ve been through them myself.

“It’s tough when you can’t see any light at the end of the tunnel with an injury.

“I’ve stuck with him and I think I’ve helped him.

“I’ve been fair with him and hopefully he’ll start to repay some of that faith I’ve shown in him during the 16 months he's been out.”

Colclough figured in Tuesday’s under 21s clash at Nottingham Forest, where Crewe drew 0-0 – lasting 70 minutes before being forced off with a knock to his shoulder.

Davis says he needs to get fully fit to figure in a crucial Easter for the Alex as they prepare to face relegation rivals Crawley on Good Friday and then visit play-off hopefuls Chesterfield on Monday.

“He was late coming in so he didn’t train,” continued the boss.

“That’s my discipline, he doesn’t train when he gets in late so he spent the time in the gym.

“He played for the under 21s because he needs to get fit before he can start a game.”

Davis is adamant Crewe can avoid the drop if they can continue to show the commitment displayed against Sheffield United.

“That is what we expect and what we need to do between now and the end of the season to stay in this division,” he added.

‘It’s a tough league for us financially with the teams in it but it’s where we want to be and showcase our young players.

“That last result should give us the confidence to go on although we’ve said that before and it hasn’t.

“But going to Sheffield United and winning when the odds were stacked against us should give us a lift."

And Davis is confident his side upset the odds again this season.

“We have a habit of upsetting the odds because we’re capable of getting those kind of results," he said.

“On our day we can beat anyone in the league and we’ve proved it.

“Our focus is now on Crawley and what we need to do to get a result.”