Crawley Town

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Matt Doughty

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Crawley Town v Altrincham

Crawley Town boss Steve Evans has labeled his side's Blue Square Premier encounter against Altrincham at Broadfield Stadium as a "must win" game.

The Reds are currently in 10th spot in the standings and know that every point they can get is vital from here on in if they hope to reach the play-offs.

Evans told thisissussex.co.uk: "I was the first to admit that last week against Cambridge was a must win game and it is the same this weekend.

"We have ways of monitoring how far the players run and their effort levels were just amazing. They knew how much it meant to us as a team and I'm sure it will be the same on Saturday."

The Reds mentor is likely to have a full strength side to face the Robins, but will be sweating on the fitness of Michael Malcolm, who is set to undergo a late fitness test after limping off in their last game.

The game is of equal importance to Altrincham as they too hope to make the play-offs.

Graham Heathcote's charges come into the game brimming with confidence after a 5-0 mauling of Salisbury in their previous encounter, but the Robins boss has a number of injury concerns ahead of the game.

Matt Doughty is out for up to seven months after what is expected to be a ruptured cruciate ligament, which he sustained against the Whites.

Hitman Colin Little and Robbie Lawton will miss the trip through injury and John McAliskey and Tom Kearney will undergo late fitness tests.

"At least it is just niggles with Tom and John, and they should both be all right for Saturday," Heathcote told the Messenger.

"It would be a challenging injury list for a squad of 20-odd players, but for one of our size, it's horrendous."