Crawley are today expected to complete the signing of French midfielder Thomas Pinault.

The former Cannes, Colchester and Grimsby playmaker was released by Brentford at the end of last season after 27 appearances in League One.

The 25-year-old will be manager Steve Evans' ninth summer signing and is expected to make his debut in Reds' first pre-season friendly against Paul Ince's MK Dons tomorrow.

Manager Steve Evans said: "I first came across him when he was playing for Grimsby and he is a very good player.

"We have wanted him ever since we took over and it has taken this long to get close. He is a ball-playing midfielder and will be an outstanding signing if he puts pen to paper."

Evans will not be treating tomorrow's game as a friendly.

Summer warm-up matches are often played at a pedestrian pace with players going through the motions as they prepare for the big kick-off.

But Evans wants his new-look side to treat the Broadfield clash like the real thing.

He says places are up for grabs and will not accept anything but total commitment in his first competitive game in charge.

He said: "People often say that what happens in pre-season doesn't matter but let's be honest, if you do well then it only helps you when the season starts.

"Anyone who knows me will know that I don't do friendlies. I want to win every game, whether it be in training or on a Saturday.

"This is the first chance for some of the players to show the supporters what they can do and they will want to do well.

"This will not be one of those friendlies where the players are half-hearted, we will be going out to win."

Crawley warmed up for the clash with a behind-closed-doors match against Queens Park Rangers at the Championship club's training ground on Wednesday.

New striker Jon-Paul Pittman scored a penalty and Ben Judge was also on target in a 3-2 defeat.

All the players were given a run-out, apart from midfielder Lee Blackburn, who missed the game with a slight hamstring problem.

Evans said: "It went extremely well. All the boys showed plenty of appetite and hunger and that is exactly what I wanted from them.

"It was a good first test for us and I was delighted with how we approached it and the performances of all the lads."

Evans is expecting the Dons to also be going full-throttle for a win.

The game is Ince's first as boss of the League Two side and the self-named "Guv'nor" will want to get off to a good start.

Evans said: "This is Paul Ince's first game in front of the public and his chairman so he will be desperate to come to Crawley and put on a good show.

"Knowing him as a man and a player, there is no chance he will settle for anything but a good display from his players.

"They have a very strong squad, they have just signed Kevin Gallen from QPR, so this will be a very good test for us."

Dons striker Leon Knight will be returning to Sussex for the first time since leaving Albion under a cloud in January 2006.

The volatile frontman fell out with the then manager Mark McGhee before leaving for Swansea.

Former Crawley midfielder Ernie Cooksey, who played under Evans at Boston, has signed for Grays.