Crewe rocked by hernia injury to keeper Lawlor

Ian Lawlor has made 22 first-team appearances for the Alex since arriving from Doncaster Rovers in January [Shutterstock] Crewe Alexandra have been hit by an injury to first-choice goalkeeper Ian Lawlor on the eve of their League Two season opener at Crawley Town. The 31-year-old Dubliner was forced to miss Saturday's 2-1 Carabao Cup first-round home win over Accrington Stanley . But, having sat on the bench on Saturday, he has now undergone a hernia operation. Replacement Tom Booth, who was Crewe's first-choice keeper during the first half of last season, played on Saturday and is expected to continue in goal this weekend. Meanwhile, the Alex have signed up two of their most promising young players on new contracts. Midfielder Owen Lunt, 21, has signed a new two-year deal and defender Stan Dancey, 19, has a new one-year deal, with an option for a further 12 months. Lunt, the nephew of former Crewe player and coach Kenny Lunt, and Wales youth international Dancey both made their first-team breakthrough last season.