Crewe Alexandra has encountered a setback with the injury of first-choice goalkeeper Ian Lawlor just before their League Two season opener against Crawley Town.

The 31-year-old from Dublin missed Saturday’s 2-1 Carabao Cup first-round home victory over Accrington Stanley.

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After sitting on the bench for that match, he underwent surgery for a hernia.

In his absence, Tom Booth, who was the team’s first-choice goalkeeper during the first half of the previous season, played on Saturday and is likely to continue in goal this weekend.

Additionally, the club has secured contracts for two of its promising young talents.

Midfielder Owen Lunt, 21, has agreed to a new two-year contract, while defender Stan Dancey, 19, has signed a one-year deal with an option for another year. Lunt is the nephew of former Crewe player and coach Kenny Lunt, and both players made their first-team debuts last season.

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.

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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.