Match Preview | Crawley Town v Wanderers

Crawley

Wanderers remain on the road following Wednesday's Carabao Cup third-round exit to Arsenal as they return to the scene of their 2021 promotion triumph.

After defeat at the Emirates Stadium on Wednesday night, Ian Evatt's side can now give their full attention to their league campaign off the back of a win against Reading last weekend.

This will be Crawley Town's first game since play-off winning manager Scott Lindsey left the club to join League Two MK Dons.

First-team coach Ben Gladwin, who won promotion with Crawley as a player last season, will assume the role of Interim Head Coach for this weekend's game.

This will be just a third league meeting between the clubs, with the Whites' victory at the Broadfield Stadium in May, 2021 clinching promotion from League Two for Evatt's men.

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Ben Gladwin

Manager Quotes

Ian Evatt: "It’s really important that we back up and follow on from what we saw against Reading on Saturday and we’re looking forward to it.

"Post-Arsenal it’s three vitally important games with Crawley and Northampton away and Shrewsbury at home.

"If we can win those games it put us in a really good position going into the international break with a bit of a reset again.

Crawley Town Interim Head Coach Ben Gladwin on Wanderers: "A fantastic season last season, just missing out so maybe a slower start trying to recover from that, it often happens.

"It's clear to see that obviously they're a very good side with big resources and a big history so we know it's going to be a proper test but we've faced a few of those already this season.

“Sometimes the result has not gone our way but the performance has been fantastic, and that is what we ask of the players. We believe nine times out of 10, you get to where you need to be with a good performance so we will going after the same again.

“I am excited (at being in charge). It will be a brilliant experience. I think it makes sense in terms of keeping continuity at the football club and helping to support the players, obviously I shared the dressing room with quite a few of them."

Team News

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Chris Forino

Wanderers will be without defender Chris Forino after he sustained a hamstring injury in Wednesday's night Carabao Cup loss at Arsenal. The summer signing underwent a scan today (Friday) to assess the extent of the damage and looks set for a spell on the sidelines.

Central defenders Gethin Jones and Will Forrester are also out but Jones could be back - along with Jordi Osei-Tutu - after the international break and Forrester is also increasing his workload after missing all of the season so far with a badly dislocated toe.

Saturday's game comes just too soon for Klaidi Lolos to make a return to his former club but the forward could be back next week from the ankle injury which has kept him out since the opening day.

Carlos Mendes Gomes continues to move nearer a return but will be managed carefully after being out for seven months.

Form Guide

A 5-1 loss at Arsenal ended Wanderers' Carabao Cup run with the Whites winning three and losing three of their last six games in all competitions.

Ian Evatt's men looked to have turned a corner in their League One campaign with an impressive 5-2 victory over Reading last Saturday taking their points' tally to seven from seven games. The Whites will be looking to kick on with a second away win of the season in just their third away fixture in the league so far.

Crawley also have seven points but after winning their first two games since promotion to League One have taken just one point from their last four games. That came from a 1-1 home draw against Stockport County in their last home game

Kick-off

Saturday, 12:30pm.

Colours

Wanderers will be playing in their white, home kit.

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Dion Charles

Referee

Jacob Miles

Tickets

Tickets are now no longer available and you will not be able to pay on the day.

Audio passes will be available for UK based supporters. Those based internationally can stream the game through Wanderers TV.

Click here to purchase your passes.

The game will also be available on Sky Sports+.

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