Crawley Town boss gives mixed injury update as midfielder ruled out for 'four to six weeks'

Max Anderson opened the scoring in the 2-0 win over Harrogate Town last weekend but was substituted at half-time with a “sore feeling in his quad.”

Man-of-the-match Jay Williams was replaced late on in that victory due to a “hamstring” issue, while Arsenal loanee Louie Copley has missed the last two matches with a knock.

When asked about availability this weekend, Lindsey said: “Jay - definitely. Max – no. [He] went for a scan – not good news, unfortunately.

“He’s probably going to be around four to six weeks. Max’s been brilliant for us. He goes under the radar with his performances, but they're so solid. He's a very, very good footballer, and he's very solid with his performances.

“But he's been a little bit unfortunate with injuries - picked up another one. We didn't think he was going to be as bad, but we scanned him and it’s going to be probably four to six weeks.”

On Copley, he added: “He trained fully today for the first time. Saturday might be too soon, sadly, but certainly Tuesday he’ll be available.”

Lindsey also confirmed that Scott Malone trained on Thursday, but Saturday may also be too soon for his return.

Malone hasn’t featured since picking up an injury on November 8 against Fleetwood Town.

Klaidi Lolos will also return to the squad after serving a three-match ban for a straight red card against Notts County – his first appearance back at the Broadfield.

The only one of Crawley’s 13 January signings to not have featured so far is Justin Ferizaj – a former Bray Wanderers midfielder brought in as a free agent.

“Justin's done great,” Lindsey said. He’s a 10 stroke eight stroke pivot. He can play in all them positions in midfield - very capable footballer, aggressive, makes tackles, an all-rounder in many ways.

“[He] really backs himself, which I like. I like his attitude already. I know he's not been around it but he was like a signing where we agreed that maybe [he] doesn't get near it straight away, but he’s certainly one to look out for the future.

“I really like him. I like his attitude. He's game, he trains really well and he's knocking on my door already saying he wants to play. I really like that about him.”

Things are looking up for the Reds after picking up seven points from a possible nine and keeping clean sheets in each of their last three games.

The upturn of form has lifted them to 20th in League Two and six points clear of the relegation zone.

Saturday’s game will kick off at the earlier time of 12:31 as fixtures across the English Football League start a minute later than scheduled as part of the Every Minute Matters campaign, raising awareness for CPR.