Luke Oliver insists City are not scared by the prospect of muzzling League Two’s hottest attack.

Crewe have rattled in 40 goals so far, with Bradford-born Clayton Donaldson bagging 11 of them.

It promises to be a tough task for the Bantams back four – and one that Oliver is relishing.

The big centre half said: “We’ve only conceded three in six games and we’ve become a hard team to break down.

“Crewe will be a big test but we can go there and get a result. You’re looking to do well in every game but if you can keep out a team that’s scoring a lot, then it’s an even bigger benefit.”

Steve Williams and Shane Duff are both training again but Rob Kiernan has been cleared to carry on playing after his problem last week was diagnosed as cramp rather than a hamstring injury.

Peter Taylor has promised to use his back-four resources carefully over the holiday period. But City’s defensive pattern has not been upset by the frequent chopping and changing caused by their regular casualty list.

Oliver added: “That’s due to the work on the training field. Everyone knows exactly what is expected of them when they come into the position, and credit has got to be given there (to the coaches).

“We’re defending well as a team but we’ve got to keep it going. Nobody will sit on their laurels because we’ve got to take that form into the games coming up.”

Taylor is predicting an open contest against Dario Gradi’s great entertainers. And he is looking for a much-improved display following the nervy win over Hereford.

“Dario’s a really good football man who always wants his team to play the right way,” said the City chief.

“You’re surprised when they play a long ball every now and then because I suppose they are like the Arsenal of League Two. They like to play their football correctly.

“I know Clayton Donaldson well from my time at Hull and he’s very capable on his day. We’ve got to be aware of him and make sure we don’t allow him time and space.

“But if we play better than last week, which I’m sure we will do, then I think we are capable of going anywhere and winning a match.

“The most pleasing thing last Saturday was the clean sheet. Hopefully I’m looking for us to do a lot better, which means we can defend less.”

Jason Price is pushing for a recall up front after a late run-out as an emergency defender.

The on-loan Carlisle targetman is playing for a deal next month and Taylor believes he can have a big say in the busy run coming up.

The City chief has also thrown down the gauntlet to the rest of City’s striking corps – including Jake Speight, who is currently with Port Vale.

“Jason is getting fitter by the day with us. When he first came here, he hadn’t played that much football and it took him a while.

“I think he’s very capable of being that very clever forward that we need. I’ll be interested in seeing how Jason progresses in the next three or four games.

“It’s the same with Louis Moult, Gareth Evans and Jake Speight. He hasn’t had a lot of football at Port Vale, so it wouldn’t surprise me if he comes back even hungrier – he’s one that I’m not ruling out.

“I’m also hoping that Michael Flynn walks back into the changing room fit and well very soon. There’s another striker that we know can do a good job for us.

“I do feel that we’ve got players in the building that are capable of doing well and scoring goals. You just want that little bit of luck, that goal they need to lift the confidence and go from there.”