On loan Crewe Alexandra striker may return to Fulham

The 21-year-old striker bagged the fifth goal of his loan spell to see Crewe open 2013 with a victory over Carlisle (1-0) on New Year’s Day.

Despite the flying Finn’s form, boss Steve Davis admitted his future is uncertain beyond this weekend.

With AJ Leitch-Smith returning from injury and both Max Clayton and Ryan Colclough pushing for starts, The Railwaymen might not extend LDV’s stay.

“Lauri is a player who can pop up with a goal out of nothing,” explained Davis.

“He’s done well for us.

“He works hard and he is a poacher.

“He’s got one more game with us and then we’ll have to assess the situation with Fulham.

“We haven’t decided what to do with him yet but we are grateful for how hard he has worked for us.”

Now tenth in League One and just three points off a play-off spot, Crewe will target another maximum against Boro.

Also mid-table, Stevenage have been on the slide after three straight defeats.

“There are no easy games in this division,” continued Davis.

“Everyone is fighting and you have to work really hard for your points.

“We passed the ball well without being a big threat against Carlisle.

“But Lauri came up with the goal and we were the better team.

“We are pleased with the points tally so far and I’m delighted with the way we have started the New Year.

“But we want more of the same throughout the year now.

“I have set the players high standards and we want to keep moving forward as a club.”

Davis is likely to stay with 4-3-3 as they look to inflict more misery on Boro.

“Duggy (Adam Dugdale) was unlucky to miss out against Carlisle but I wanted to change the shape at home,” added Davis.

“I just 4-3-3 give us more attacking options.

“I didn’t have a case to leave any of them out because they had done nothing wrong.

“But I just felt Harry (Davis) and Mark (Ellis) had played most of the season together.

“It was a difficult decision but one I had to make.”

Crewe’s JPT fixture at home to Bradford is now on Tuesday, January 15.