Crawley Town head coach Colin Kazim-Richards explained captain Jay William’s absence from the 3-1 defeat at League One side Oxford United on Tuesday night (July, 28).

Second-half goals from Gatlin O’Donkor and Tyler Goodrham denied the Reds a second successive pre-season win after victory at Eastleigh on Saturday (July, 25).

Summer signing Malcolm Ebiowei had fired in a delightful first-half free kick to level the score following Charlie Barker’s early own goal.

Williams was a notable absentee from the matchday squad at the Kassam Stadium, sparking speculation among fans that he could be following former Reds boss Scott Lindsey to York City.

Jay Williams leading out Crawley Town last season. Photo: Kyle Hemsley

placeholder image — Jay Williams leading out Crawley Town last season. Photo: Kyle Hemsley

But Kazim-Richards allayed concerns about the skipper, and while he ‘wouldn’t call him injured’, the Reds boss clarified his condition.

He said: “We are looking after Jay Williams. I wouldn't call him injured. Jay wouldn't like me calling him injured either.

“I think Jay is in the process of being 100% fit. Jay is an important part of our team, as are other players. Certain players need certain things differently to others, and that's the whole point of being a manager and having a team that looks after them.

“So, in terms of being injured, no. Jay is on pitch, but it's just being able to look after him. We had a tough season last season – a lot of output. So, if we can come back and have Jay for the whole season rather than just the first couple of games – it's important.”

Lindsey will take on his old side in his first competitive game in charge of York when the Reds travel up north for the EFL Cup preliminary round on Monday, August 3.

The current Reds boss never faced a Scott Lindsey side as a player and admitted that he’d never been in contact with him either – and that he ‘couldn’t care less’ who was in charge of the opposition.

Kazim-Richards said: “York are a good side, whether he was there or not, and it's going to be a difficult place to go in terms of football difficulty.

“But again – I back my boys, I back our work, I back our personnel to go there and get the win. It doesn't change anything that he's there at all. It's exactly the same process, the same thought process, the same mentality, the same work ethic towards that game.

“It's the same outlook. We go there to win – very simple. But I understand for the fans and people at the club, it puts a different kind of spice on it, if you want to call it – and probably for him (Lindsey) as well.”

Before that clash, Crawley host Reading at the Broadfield Stadium this Friday night (July 31) in another pre-season friendly.