MICHAEL Ricketts is expected to get the nod when Wanderers go all out to revive their automatic promotion ambitions at Crewe tomorrow ... and equal a 96-year club record into the bargain.

The 20-goal top scorer, available again after a two-match suspension, warmed up for his return with a goal in the reserves on Wednesday night.

Now, having been dropped for the Nottingham Forest game three weeks ago, he is tipped to go straight back into the front line at Gresty Road, where Sam Allardyce is looking for the first of six wins he believes will secure a Premiership return.

The manager will delay naming his team until tomorrow "to keep the players guessing" but he dropped a broad hint today that Andy Campbell, who has started the last three games following his loan move from Middlesbrough, will make way for Ricketts: "Michael comes back into contention because, in general play, we have not converted enough of the chances we've created. That's been a little disappointing.

"Andy hasn't got off the mark with a goal and that's been a big disappointment for us and for him. He's had many chances to score and the longer it goes, the more difficult it becomes to get that all-important first goal. He is quick but Michael's quick, very strong and he's our leading scorer."

Victory would equal the record of 12 away wins set by the 1904-05 Wanderers and add weight to the manager's argument that automatic promotion is still achievable.

It's that impressive away record - bettered only by Fulham - that has fuelled Allardyce's optimism, despite counting the cost of a home run that has delivered just five points from six games.

Recovered

Ricketts' anticipated return is just one of a number of changes on the cards as Wanderers look to keep the pressure on Blackburn, who moved back into second spot after their 1-1 midweek draw with Sheffield United.

Paul Warhurst is unlikely to have recovered from the ankle injury he suffered in the 1-1 draw with Stockport and the word from the Reebok is that there could be more changes.

Per Frandsen, out of the picture since the manager's radical shake-up at Forest, could also be back in the reckoning.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi, who wants five more points to be sure of avoiding the drop, is forced to make changes to the team beaten at Crystal Palace last Saturday. Top scorer Mark Rivers is ruled out after suffering sickness and injury problems.

Rodney Jack should be fit after recovering from a calf injury but highly-rated 17-year-old attacker Dean Ashton may be rested. Rob Hulse and Colin Little are on standby.

Gradi's hopes of having Dave Walton back after missing the Palace game with flu, were dashed when the centre back was injured in training.

For the record, the 1904-05 Wanderers won 12 out of just 17 away games played in those days, finishing runners-up in the old Second Division and clinching promotion!