Stevenage travel to Crewe Alexandra this Saturday in excellent form having won their last three League Two matches.

Although Boro prevailed with a 2-1 win at Gresty Road last season, both sides had a man sent off in a truly feisty encounter after Jamie Jones and Chris Dagnall were sent off for fighting during the match.

Speaking to CometSport in the aftermath of Tuesday night’s EFL Trophy 5-4 penalty-shootout defeat at MK Dons following a goalless draw, manager Darren Sarll said he anticipates another tough game with The Railwaymen this weekend: “I thought last year Crewe away was one of the toughest trips that we had.

“It’s quite hostile, quite a hostile atmosphere, I know there was some bad tackling in the early stages of the game that led to two red cards. But it was a real tough, real tough game for us and I expect no different and David’s (Artell) gone in and kind of come away a little bit, only a little bit from the Crewe tradition of play.

“But he’s added some really robust, senior players to that in Porter and Raynes and players like that, Bowery’s in there now, Dagnall, you know he’s got some really robust, senior characters. So it will be very tough, it’s a real tough trip.”

Sarll has also added greater physicality to his squad and will hope to continue this positive run that has restored Stevenage’s position in the play-off places.