Crawley Town v Walsall preview

Team news ahead of Saturday's League One clash between Crawley and Walsall at Broadfield Stadium.

Last Updated: 16/11/12 at 12:27   

Gary Alexander: Faces a battle to win back his place

Gary Alexander: Faces a battle to win back his place

Gary Alexander faces a battle to win back his place in the Crawley attack.

The Town skipper dropped to the bench at Notts County last weekend following a run of 13 games without a goal, and his replacement Jonathan Forte scored in the 1-1 draw.

Defender Claude Davis will keep the captain's armband if Alexander misses out again.

Midfielder Hope Akpan is still unavailable as he serves the final game of the four-match ban he received for his second red card of the season against Oldham last month.

Nathan Byrne returned from an ankle knock at County so boss Richie Barker has an otherwise full-strength squad.

Fellow defender Mat Sadler will play against his former club.

Will Grigg, Sam Mantom and Andy Taylor all return to the fold as Walsall aim to reverse their 11-match winless run.

The trio missed Tuesday's abject FA Cup first-round exit at the hand of non-league Lincoln but provide a much-needed boost to the Saddlers squad.

Striker Grigg was on international duty with Northern Ireland, on-loan midfielder Mantom was ineligible for the cup tie while full-back Taylor was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Fellow defender Ben Purkiss is also making good progress with his hamstring problem although the encounter is likely to come just too soon.

There is also good news regarding influential midfielder Florent Cuvelier, whose hamstring own complaint is not as serious as first feared.

The on-loan Stoke playmaker is back in training and expected to be available for next Saturday's home clash against Hartlepool.

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npower League 1

Position Team P GD PTS
1 Doncaster 46 18 84
2 Bournemth 46 23 83
3 Brentford 46 15 79
4 Yeovil 46 15 77
5 Sheff Utd 46 14 75
6 Swindon 46 33 74
7 Leyton Or 46 7 71
8 MK Dons 46 17 70
9 Walsall 46 7 68
10 Crawley 46 1 68
11 Tranmere 46 10 67
12 Notts Co 46 12 65
13 Crewe 46 -8 64
14 Preston 46 5 59
15 Coventry 46 7 55
16 Shrewsbury 46 -6 55
17 Carlisle 46 -21 55
18 Stevenage 46 -17 54
19 Oldham 46 -13 51
20 Colchester 46 -21 51
21 Scunthorpe 46 -24 48
22 Bury 46 -28 41
23 Hartlepool 46 -28 41
24 Portsmouth 46 -18 32

Updated Sat, 27 Apr 2013

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