Crawley are poised to sign striker Stuart Douglas before tomorrow's big Conference kick-off.

The former Luton forward is set to sign today and will travel with the squad for the season's opener against York at the Kit Kat Crescent.

Douglas, who has been handed a contract after impressing on a two week trail, spent 13 years at the Hatters, making 146 League appearances and scoring 18 goals.

He was released in 2002 and joined Boston, where he scored eight goals in 58 league games.

The 27-year-old spent a brief spell at Reds' Conference rivals Dagenham and Redbridge last season, before being released in January.

Manager Francis Vines said: "He has done well in the couple of games he has played in pre-season. He has got a lot of League experience with Luton and is still quite young at 27, so he could be a good signing."

Douglas will become the third striker signed by Reds this week, following the arrivals of Jamie Cade and Danny Ekoku.

Vines is hoping to add one more as he continues his search for a suitable partner for target man Steve Burton.

He said: "I think there is room for one more and I may have already got the man I want. It is nice to have some competition up front because were short in that department.

"Steve Burton has looked sharp during pre-season, it is just a case of having the right man to play alongside him."

York have been forced to make wholesale changes during the summer due to budget cuts. They are arguably weaker than they were last season, when they finished 17th.

But Vines is refusing to take the Minstermen lightly after seeing Reds lose 3-1 in the corresponding fixture last season.

He said: "Like us they have made a lot of changes but their's have been more out of necessity because of a lack of money. They have a lot of young players and they have not signed any big names.

"We have been lucky in that we have been able to strengthen but we lost up there last season when they were struggling, so it won't be easy."

Midfielder Rob Kember has been ruled out of tomorrow's game after suffering an eye injury in training and Paul Armstrong is a doubt with a dead leg.

James Donovan is suspended after being sent off in a pre-season friendly against Hastings.

Crawley have delayed unveiling their new shirt sponsor until the home game against Hereford on August 20.

They will play without one tomorrow and against Dagenham at Broadfield Stadium on Tuesday, where they will play in their blue away strip, while the home kit is being printed.

Children get in for free at Crawley's first three home league games against Dagenham (August 16), Hereford (August 20) and Stevenage (August 29).