Crawley v Gillingham preview

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Crawley could add new signings John Cofie and Kelly Youga to their squad for the visit of Gillingham.

Former Manchester United striker Cofie and ex-Charlton left-back Youga arrived at Town this week as free agents, although the latter is awaiting international clearance.

Goalkeeper Lewis Price will be checked over after going off with concussion against Leyton Orient last weekend, with Brian Jensen on standby to deputise.

Lanre Oyebanjo is fit after a hamstring injury but Dean Leacock (groin), Conor Henderson (ankle) and Josh Simpson (hamstring) are still out.

Gillingham boss Justin Edinburgh may hand Glenn Morris just his third league appearance for the club.

The 31-year-old was a shock starter in last weekend’s 2-2 draw with Colchester in place of Stuart Nelson and Edinburgh could keep the faith with the former Aldershot goalkeeper.

Edinburgh has also recalled fellow shot-stopper Tom Handler from Tonbridge Angels and he could be involved as their back-up keeper while Antonio German, back from a loan spell with Aldershot, will hope his goal in their development game at Bournemouth will see him included in the squad.

Midfielder Josh Pritchard returned to action after a hamstring injury in that match and could make a long-awaited return.

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Crawley v Gillingham preview

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Red Devils boss Richie Barker will have to make two changes for this weekend’s home fixture.

Crawley grabbed a shock 2-0 win at high-flying Peterborough last weekend but defender Joe Walsh drops out of the squad as he is on international duty with Wales’ Under-21s and midfielder Mike Jones is suspended after he was sent off late on.

Mark Connolly should step into the back four in Walsh’s absence while James Hurst could also come in at right-back, with Josh Simpson moving back into midfield in place of Jones.

New striker Emile Sinclair was an unused sub at Peterborough, having joined from Posh 48 hours earlier, so he will be hoping to make his Crawley debut.

Amine Linganzi is set to be back in contention for the Gills short trip to rivals Crawley.

The midfielder, who has not featured for four weeks, trained for the first time on Thursday since suffering a hamstring injury and then going down with a bout of tonsillitis.

Should Linganzi suffer no reaction then he will come into boss Martin Allen’s plans for the encounter against Town.

However, on-loan right-back Michael Harriman is away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland’s Under-21 squad and so misses out.

Crawley v Gillingham preview

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Crawley will be without centre-half Claude Davis when they host Gillingham in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy.

Davis suffered a hip injury during Saturday’s 1-0 win over Leyton Orient and faces a spell on the sidelines.

Shaun Cooper replaced Davis at the weekend and could start against the Gills.

Winger Sergio Torres missed the Orient game with a knock and he will be assessed ahead of kick-off.

Manager Richie Barker is likely to make one or two changes with midfielder Mike Jones set for his full debut following last week’s move from Sheffield Wednesday.

The likes of Jonathan Forte, Mark Connolly and goalkeeper Michel Kuipers are also pushing for chances in the starting line-up while striker Gary Alexander could be rested.

Gillingham boss Martin Allen has a full-strength squad to choose from.

On-loan goalkeeper Tommy Forecast will play his first game for the Gills after signing on for the season from Premier League new boys Southampton.

Midfielder Charlie Lee recovered from a bruised thigh in time to start against Chesterfield on Saturday and looks set to keep his place in Allen’s side.

Andy Frampton is hoping to return to the starting XI after dropping to the bench for the Capital One Cup defeat to Middlesbrough and the draw with Chesterfield.

Lewis Montrose has recovered from the injury he sustained in the first half of Saturday’s game and is available for selection.

Crawley v Gillingham preview

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Crawley club captain Pablo Mills could return to the side.

Mills has struggled for a place in the starting line-up due to the form of Kyle McFadzean and Claude Davis in the centre of defence.

However, Davis limped out of last weekend’s 1-1 draw with Crewe to be replaced by Mills and he could keep his place in the side if the 32-year-old is not fit.

Red Devils boss Steve Evans will also be forced to make one other change to his starting line-up after midfielder Andy Drury returned to Ipswich following the end of his loan spell.

Crawley go into the match four points clear at the top of League Two and are on a 14-match unbeaten league run.

Gillingham have doubts over captain Andy Frampton and midfielder Curtis Weston, while Charlie Lee starts a two-match ban.

Defender Frampton was forced off in the first half of last weekend’s 4-1 victory over Bristol Rovers nursing an ankle injury and is still struggling, while Weston has picked up a thigh problem this week.

Right-back Lee, meanwhile, collected his 10th booking of the season against the Pirates and now serves a suspension which sees him miss out against Crawley and Dagenham.

Matt Lawrence and Matt Fish are ready to step in for Frampton and Lee in defence, while Chris Whelpdale could be in line to replace Weston should he not make it.

On-loan striker Jo Kuffour is available again having been ineligible to face parent club Bristol Rovers under the terms of his agreement, but fellow loan forward Frank Nouble has returned to West Ham having seen his stay at Priestfield come to an end last Saturday.

Danny Spiller (ankle), Barry Fuller and Adam Birchall (both knee) continue to make progress with their respective recoveries.