Team news

Alexander fights Forte for place Gary Alexander faces a battle to win back his place in the Crawley attack for the visit of Walsall.

The Town skipper dropped to the bench at Notts County last weekend following a run of 13 games without a goal, and his replacement Jonathan Forte scored in the 1-1 draw.

Defender Claude Davis will keep the captain's armband if Alexander misses out again.

Midfielder Hope Akpan is still unavailable as he serves the final game of the four-match ban he received for his second red card of the season against Oldham last month.

Nathan Byrne returned from an ankle knock at County so boss Richie Barker has an otherwise full-strength squad.

Fellow defender Mat Sadler will play against his former club.

Will Grigg, Sam Mantom and Andy Taylor all return to the fold as Walsall bid to end their 11-match winless run.

The trio missed Tuesday's abject FA Cup first-round exit at the hand of non-league Lincoln but provide a much-needed boost to the Saddlers squad.

Striker Grigg was on international duty with Northern Ireland, on-loan midfielder Mantom was ineligible for the cup tie while full-back Taylor was ruled out with a hamstring injury.

Fellow defender Ben Purkiss is also making good progress with his hamstring problem although the encounter is likely to come just too soon.

There is also good news regarding influential midfielder Florent Cuvelier, whose own hamstring complaint is not as serious as first feared.

The on-loan Stoke playmaker is back in training and expected to be available for next Saturday's home clash against Hartlepool.

Crawley Town vs Walsall

Last modified 18:23 17/11/12

Forte keeps Crawley on the level A late goal from Jonathan Forte gave Crawley a hard-earned point from a 2-2 draw against Walsall.

The Saddlers, ahead through an early goal from Febian Brandy, were pegged back by Billy Clarke's strike before Ashley Hemming's restored their advantage 15 minutes from time.

Crawley finished with 10 men after defender Joe Walsh received a straight red card for a professional foul on Brandy six minutes from time.

Striker Forte, playing his final game before the expiry of his loan from Southampton, rescued Crawley a draw by heading in a cross from Nicky Adams in the 82nd minute.

Will Grigg headed wastefully wide at the near post for Walsall before Brandy fired the Saddlers ahead after 14 minutes with a low shot following a pass from Jamie Paterson, but Crawley levelled eight minutes later through Clarke, who rifled his seventh goal of the season after being set up by Forte.

Crawley had a let-off 11 minutes after the break when Paterson cut in and thundered a fierce right-footed shot against the crossbar, while midfielder Hemmings restored Walsall's lead with a close-range shot 15 minutes from time after Jones superbly parried a shot Sam Manton.