Verheydt pleased to be off the mark in English football

The Dutch forward headed Reds in front, before they fell to a 2-1 home defeat against League 1 new boys Portsmouth in their final pre-season friendly.

Crawley's summer signing Verheydt was forced home earlier in pre-season but has played a part in each of Reds' final three friendlies.

His first goal came in Crawley's last friendly this season and he hopes to get on a scoring run when the League 2 campaign gets under way this Saturday.

Verheydt said: "I'm really pleased to have got my first goal ahead of the first game of the season next week.

"When you start with zero goals in the pre-season it's a little hard and the pressure is on you, so I was happy to score in our final game before the season starts."

Having featured in all three of Reds' final pre-season games, the Dutch striker now feels he is ready to have an impact as his side get their League 2 campaign going against Port Vale at the Checkatrade Stadium this Saturday.

He added: "I feel fit but now I have to take a rest because my legs are tired after playing three games this past week. We start again with the training tomorrow and I feel good going into the season."

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