Dunford predicts more January signings

But the Reds chief executive insists the club will only strengthen the squad if the right player is available for the right price.

“Any signing we hope will create interest but Matt coming back to the club, with his fantastic goal-scoring record he was a firm favourite over a couple of years,” Mr Dunford said. “If he can recapture that form I’m certain he’ll continue to be a firm favourite.

“Initially it’s for a month, we’d love to extend it, because if we extend it it means he’s doing extremely well for us.

“Bournemouth have been extremely helpful in helping us achieve what we wanted to do, which was bring additional players in and Matt was always a firm target. He’s a firm favourite with the fans so we know how much it means to them, but like everything else he’ll be judged on what he does on the pitch, we’re a football club not a circus.

“But if he can contribute to the squad we have already, and you don’t know there might be another player or so coming in before the end of the window to supplement it even further. But from our point of view we’re delighted he’s here to give John a further attacking option.”

And speaking further about the possibility of adding new faces he added: “If we can construct something that’s right for the squad and right for our finances then we’ll certainly strengthen.”

Tubbs remains a legend amongst the Crawley fans for his deluge of goals which helped the club climb out of the Conference and then reach League One. And Mr Dunford believes Tubbs is putting that reputation on the line by coming back.

He said: “If you see the rise up from the Conference, Matt was instrumental in that, he scored a phenomenal amount of goals and supporters love goalscorers.

“Matt’s really put his reputation on the line because coming back here, if he fails, and we hope he doesn’t he’s going to lose a few friends isn’t he. But he’s keen, he’s 29 and he wants to prove again that he’s a regular goalscorer at a club he loves.”

Tubbs’ arrival leaves Crawley with five recognised strikers, and commenting on the possibility of any players leaving Mr Dunford added: “There’s nobody on the horizon (to leave) at the moment but we’ve still got 25 days left.”