Crawley Town vs Barnsley preview - Walsh blow for Crawley

Posted Friday, February 13, 2015 by PA

Crawley skipper Joe Walsh is suspended for the visit of managerless Barnsley.

The defender starts a three-match ban after he was sent off during Tuesday night's 5-0 defeat by Doncaster to cap a miserable evening for the struggling Sussex side.

Boss Dean Saunders will be hoping Dean Leacock is passed fit after a recent groin injury to step in at centre-half.

Goalkeeper Brian Jensen is close to returning after a dislocated finger but Josh Simpson (hamstring), Conor Henderson (ankle) and Matt Harrold (Achilles) are set to miss out again.

Barnsley caretaker managers Mark Burton and Paul Heckingbottom are hoping striker Sam Winnall is ready to return to the starting line-up.

Head of academy Burton and coach Heckingbottom were placed in temporary charge on Thursday after Danny Wilson was sacked, while Winnall has been troubled by a hamstring injury sustained at the end of November.

The Reds have no major new injury or suspension concerns but Burton and Heckingbottom could make changes following two successive defeats, with defender George Smith and striker Alex Kiwomya pushing for recalls.

Barnsley, seven points above the relegation zone and as many adrift of the play-off places, are chasing their first league win on the road since November 1.