Crawley Town boss Francis Vines is confident the injury crisis which forced him to don his boots at Newport County on Saturday will have eased for tonight's visit of Chelmsford City.

Vines lost Carl Wilson-Denis and Karl Ready the day before Saturday's 2-1 win to add to a list which already included Paul Armstrong, Charlie MacDonald, Warren Bagnall and Joff Vansittart.

But with Wilson-Denis and Ready likely to have recovered in time to face struggling Chelmsford, Vines is happy to pack his boots away again as Crawley bid to extend their unbeaten run to nine games.

"It just shows how thin the squad is when I have to pick myself," said Vines, who joined the Reds as a striker three years ago before taking over as manager.

"Karl had a throat infection which was so bad he could hardly move his head and Albion withdrew Wilson-Denis after he picked up a knock on a knee in the previous game.

"Both should be fit to face Chelmsford though and with Charlie, Joff and Warren almost ready to play again and Scott Kirkwood returning from loan I should have a few more options to play with soon."

Defender Stuart Tuck is Eastbourne Borough's only doubt ahead of their long trip down to fellow promoted side Dorchester Town tonight.

Tuck came off in the 1-1 draw with Bath at the weekend with a recurrence of a nagging ankle problem.

Tuesday September 16, 2003