Crawley Town boss confirms new club captain as former Chelsea defender is left out of updated EFL squad list - plus update on injury to ex-Wrexham and Port Vale defender
Crawley Town boss Scott Lindsey has confirmed that Jay Williams has replaced Dion Conroy as club captain.
Conroy hasn’t featured in the matchday squad in the last six matches with Williams wearing the armband in his absence.
The former skipper was a notable omission from the club’s updated squad list for the English Football League.
The 30-year-old’s last appearance at the Broadfield Stadium was marred by ugly scenes after a section of home supporters booed and jeered him.
The central defensive options available to Lindsey have been further reduced by Theo Vassell’s injury sustained against Cambridge United and Ben Radcliffe’s loan departure to Gateshead.
The boss confirmed that Vassell will be absent from Saturday’s trip to Tranmere Rovers and beyond.
“He’s gonna miss a number of weeks at least,” he said. “It might be a significant amount of time, but I can’t give you a date on that.
“We’re just waiting for another report to come through. But yeah, it’s not good news.”
The news is a big blow for the January signing after making an impressive start to life in a red shirt.
On a more positive note, Lindsey hinted that Arsenal loanee Louie Copley was in line to feature at Prenton Park this weekend.
The midfielder has only played two games for the Reds and has missed the last four after picking up a knock, although was an unused substitute on Tuesday night against Cambridge.
Another absentee from the squad list was Danny Cashman – a summer signing who has only featured five times in a campaign interrupted by injuries.
Lindsey said: “At the moment, we’re still miles away from being fit and not sure if he’s actually going to be fit for this season.
“He’s done some more testing this week and we’re still a way off at the moment. Obviously, he’s with us next season so maybe we have to think about him for pre-season.”
Those fit for Saturday will be aiming to lift the Reds from 20th in League Two against the 17th-placed Rovers, who have lost their last six matches.