CREWE will not seek loan reinforcements despite losing striker AJ Leitch-Smith for at least a month.

The 22-year-old suffered ankle ligament damage after Brian Howard’s reckless challenge in a 2-0 defeat at Portsmouth last Saturday.

Despite admitting the Alex are struggling for goals, boss Steve Davis intends to keep faith with his current crop of forwards.

“He got clattered from behind and at first I thought it was very serious,” he said.

“But it’s still bad enough because he’s got ligament damage and he’ll be out for around four weeks.

“It is a blow, but AJ will be determined to get back into the team and score some goals.

“I think he’s been one of our most dangerous forwards since the start of the season.

“We’ve got Byron [Moore] coming back, so we’re not desperate although we’re not scoring at the moment.

“We’ve got to try and pick them up.

“We’ve got Byron, Pogba, Chuks [Aneke] and Max [Clayton] so we’ve got decent four forwards there.

“There’s no panic at the moment and we’ll try and improve.”

Midfielder Abdul Osman could also win a recall as Davis prepares to travel to mid-table Walsall on Saturday.

Currently 19th in League One, the Alex boss knows his side need to turn things around quickly.

“There won’t be any days off this week because the players need to improve,” he added.

“We’ve got to prepare for Walsall and every player thinks there might be some changes after the last result so they’ve been flying around and that is what squads are for.

“I thought Walsall were the better side against Shrewsbury last Sunday, and they’ll count themselves unlucky.

“They like to play football which should suit us and they’ve got young players so it should be a decent game.

“We need to get ourselves going now.”

Arguably Crewe’s best player of recent weeks, keeper Alan Martin, has done enough to win himself a new contract.

Nearing the end of his six-month deal, the 23-year has been an ever-present so far this season and will look to keep his place despite Steve Phillips recovering from a knee injury.

“I’ve spoken to Alan and let him know we’re keen for him to stay,” added Davis.

“He’s done extremely well and deserves his place.”

Crewe entertain Swindon Town on Tuesday night.