Cambridge United visit the Broadfield Stadium this evening, looking to build on Saturday's hard fought win against Woking and and close the gap on leaders Aldershot.

The bookies have United at 29/20 to win, with Crawley at 13/8 to win and the draw is 23/10, and as usual there is a wide range of other match odds. Click here for all the match odds.

Team News

Jimmy Quinn's rapidly shrinking squad will be without two of the strikers that started Saturday's match against Woking. Crawley loanee Magno Vieira is not permitted to play against his club tonight while Lee McEvilly incurred an ankle ligament injury during Saturday's game.

"We have Lee here on loan until our last game so he's having treatment with us, but it's too soon to say at the moment whether we'll have him back before the end of the season," commented Quinn.

"We'll try to get him back as soon as possible and he doesn't think it feels too bad, but it's another thing being able to run about and turn on it so we have to take it easy."

Long-time absentees Dan Chillingworth, Danny Brown, Darren Quinton and Michael Hyem are still ruled out through injury, while Stephen Reed, Wayne Hatswell and Ben Farrell are also under treatment for their recent ankle injuries.

"We're the 'ankle club'," admitted Quinn ruefully. "We've had a couple turn their ankles in training and a couple getting injured in games but hopefully they'll start clearing up in the next week or two."

Mark Beesley looks likely to be restored to the starting line-up for a rare start as an out-and-out striker alongside Lee Boylan, who has hit six goals in his last four games. With no other senior strikers available, teenagers Robbie Willmott (below) and Jack Jeffery, the latter on loan from West Ham, will be on the bench and no doubt itching to get into the action.

As reported here earlier today, fellow youngster Sam Cutler has been drafted into the depleted squad and could well be included among the substitutes. An energetic midfielder, Sam has been allocated squad number 31.

"We needed to bring someone into the squad and Sam has been playing well for CRC so it's an opportunity for him to come on the bench and take it from there," confirmed the manager. "And with Robbie and Jack we've got cover up front.

"Jack is with us for the rest of this week so we'll have a look at that after today's game. He's a good lad and he's done well," he added, "but he's been unfortunate that his chances have been restricted.

"Lee Boylan has found his goal form and Lee McEvilly has been in the side for his height and strength, plus we've got Mark Beesley of course, and when a player of Magno's quality comes along I just felt he was good to turn down, so Jack has been unfortunate in that respect. He's definitely a good player but you can only put so many players on the pitch."

Quinn's quest for a new reserve goalkeeper continues as talks with potential newcomers have drawn a blank so far.

The Opposition

Crawley are currently 16th in the table on 44 points, 26 behind United and 13 above the relegation places, although they had six points deducted at the start of this season for financial problems.

They will be without loanees Ollie Allen (Stevenage Borough) and Josh Dutton-Black (Southampton) who have returned to their respective clubs at the end of their one month loans, and they have struggled at home of late, winning just two and drawing two of their last six matches at the Broadfield.

However, Quinn warned that they cannot be underestimated. "I know Steve Evans and he wants to beat everybody," he said.

"He's always arguing with referees and that, which shows you just how much he wants to win, so they won't be downing tools and packing up for the summer just yet.

"It's always a tough place to go for any team so we've got to go there and be resilient. I just think if we get another three wins we'll definitely cement our place in the play-offs, which would mean we've had a fantastic season.

"The sooner we get those wins it will allow us to ease some of our injured players back into the side, so I want to win those games as soon as possible. No games are easy and all teams pose different problems, but if we keep clean sheets it will go a long way towards helping us win those games."

More Information

Learn lots more about Crawley in Alix Dorrington's "The Other Side" preview, you can find directions and ticket and away travel information here, and if you fancy a bet on our match or any other event this week please follow this link to visit our official betting partners bet365 - the only place where your online betting makes money for the U's.

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