The form of youngster Robbie Collins has persuaded Crawley boss Billy Smith to call off his search for a new striker.

Collins hit a hat-trick in the midweek League Cup win over Chatham and was due to lead the line in this afternoon's top-of-the-table clash against Havant and Waterlooville.

Smith reckons a run in the side is a deserved reward for the former Three Bridges player who has made massive improvements in his game since making the step up to the Dr Martens League, even though the majority of his appearances this season have been from the subs' bench.

And he believes if Collins continues at his current rate of progress he might soon start attracting the interest of league clubs.

Smith knows a thing or two about strikers, having spotted former England international Ian Wright in parks football.

He said: "The improvements Robbie has made in the last year have been phenomenal and I feel he has every chance of going on and playing in the league.

"If I keep banging the drum about him then hopefully people will take notice. He's got two good feet, he's quick, can put himself about and he's also got an eye for goal."

If Collins can do the business it will certainly help Crawley's promotion pro-spects. Smith has been concerned about their lack of an out and out goalscorer all season even though they went into today's game on top of the premier division.

So when former Reds striker Joff Vansittart was put on the transfer list by Conference club Farnborough a couple of weeks ago Smith quickly tabled a bid thought to be in the region of £7,000.

It was rejected by Farnborough manager Graham Westley, but at least it underlined the ambition of the club's board to support their manager as much as possible.

"The Joff thing is dead and buried now," admitted Smith. "And we have made no other enquiries for now about a striker."

Meanwhile there are signs that the club's injury problems are clearing up. Keith Sharman has resumed training following his knee injury and Jimmy Dack is targeting a comeback in the reserves in two weeks time following a cartilage operation.

John Ugbah is another six weeks away from a return following a successful knee operation last week while skipper Luke Anderson suffered a recurrence of ankle trouble when he made a comeback against Chatham.

Crawley host the annual friendly between an FA XI and a Southern League XI on Tuesday from 7.30pm. Reds' goalkeeper Andy Little and midfielder Dave Harlow are both in the Southern League squad. Reds' season ticket holders and anyone wearing an England shirt will get free admission.