David Martin is expected to return in goal for MK Dons.
Ian McLoughlin made his first start for the club against Sunderland in the Capital One Cup on Tuesday night as Martin missed out through illness. However, Martin should train on Friday and be available against the Alex.
Full-back Jon Otsemobor has trained after illness also ruled him out of the third-round tie against the Black Cats. Defender Gary MacKenzie (groin) and midfielder Jimmy Bullard (knee) were the other players absent in midweek and they remain doubts.
Manager Karl Robinson has quickly turned his focus back to league matters after the disappointment of losing 2-0 to Sunderland, who played for almost an hour with 10 men following Lee Cattermole's first-half red card.
"Not many people remember giantkillers - what people remember are champions," said Robinson. "That's our goal this year. That's what we want to be remembered for, not beating Sunderland.
"If you beat a Premier League team, you go on to the next one. But championships don't come along often, and that's what we're fighting to do. We're so driven to get success at this club."
Abdul Osman is Crewe's main injury concern.
The midfielder is suffering with an ankle injury that could see him miss the Dons clash and the midweek visit of Oldham.
Alex are boosted by the news that several players are back in training, with striker Mathias Pogba in contention after a six-game absence with a knee injury.
Goalkeeper Steve Phillips has been out all season with a knee injury but he is closing in on a return to action after resuming training recently.
However, Michael West (Achilles) remains sidelined and fellow midfielder Chuks Aneke, on-loan from Arsenal, serves the final match of his three-game ban.
