Simon Wormull is returning to his home town club after agreeing a short-term deal with Crawley.

The 27-year-old midfielder has left cash-strapped Hornchurch and will play for Reds' reserves at Southend United this afternoon.

A back injury has restricted Wormull to just eight appearances for Hornchurch but, providing he proves his fitness in the next few weeks, Crawley boss Francis Vines expects him to sign a contract until the end of the season.

Wormull, who began his career with Spurs, also had spells with Albion, Brentford and Rushden and Diamonds before three years in the Conference with Stevenage, whom he left at the end of last season.

Vines wanted to sign him then but could not compete with Hornchurch's offer.

Now, with the Urchins suffering financial meltdown and players leaving in droves, he has stepped in.

Vines said: "Simon hasn't played for six weeks so he has to prove his fitness but once he does that there is a deal there for him until the end of the season."

Wormull is also a former England semi-pro international.

Meanwhile, Reds have extended defender Joe Dolan's loan from Millwall for another month.

Dolan has scored once in four outings since joining the Reds.