Stewart Holmes is set to give Crawley boss Billy Smith a boost by declaring himself fit for the FA Trophy tie at Hayes.

The versatile former Burgess Hill player suffered a trapped nerve in his neck during Reds' last game, a 2-1 defeat against Bath City a fortnight ago, and even lost feeling in his fingers for a short while.

But Holmes trained without reaction on Tuesday and will make the trip to the Ryman League premier division outfit. He said: "I went up for a header and one of the Bath guys clattered into me. It was quite painful but it has nearly cleared up so I should be fit."

Smith released fringe players Jason McKoy and Marlon Patterson last week and that has left his squad looking a bit skinny so Holmes' availability is a welcome boost particularly as defender Marc Pullan is definitely ruled out because he starts a two-match suspension.

It means Smith has only 16 players available and that includes Ian Payne who has returned to the club after a loan spell with Enfield.

Smith is still hoping to add to his squad with a defender and midfielder but won't complete any deals before the trip to Hayes.

He watched them lose 2-0 at Boreham Wood last Saturday with assistant John Broughton and expects a tough afternoon.

He said: "It's a big game against a side similar to us in terms of league positions. Now we're out of the FA Cup the Trophy is important to our season and it would be nice to have a good run in it.

"They played three at the back which left a lot of room, but whether they will do that at home I don't know."

With their promotion hopes all but gone, Holmes is aware of the importance of a good run in the Trophy.

He said: "They are on a par with us league-wise so it should be quite a tight game. On our day we are capable of beating anyone but I accept we haven't done as well as we should have in the last month or so."