Boss Billy Smith insists he needs a Roy Keane figure in his Crawley team.

The Reds manager believes Crawley are dropping off the pace because they lack a true leader. He saw his men wilt at Worcester last week and said the search is on for someone to make a noise in the side.

He said: "Our team is packed with nice lads, but they are a quiet bunch. Even people like Mark Hawthorne and Scott Mean, who have played pro football, can hardly be heard during a game.

"We need someone to gee them up when the chips are down. What tends to happen is that when we fall a goal behind or things aren't going well, everyone's heads drop. We need a lively character to encourage them to keep their chins up.

"All successful teams have a player who is vocal and keeps everyone up and at it. Roy Keane is the obvious example with Manchester United, so if there's a Dr Martens League equivalent I'm searching for him.

"There is only so much myself and Brian Owen can do from the bench. We need someone out there on the pitch."

Andy Riley, signed from Sutton earlier in the season, did do that job for a while, but he has since gone on his travels abroad for several months, leaving Smith once again short of leadership qualities.

Smith was attempting to sign Fisher striker Leroy Huggins and was hoping to have secured his signature ahead of today's scheduled home Dr Martens Pre-mier match with Moor Green.

Smith said: "I've had to remain patient with Leroy. The deal has been on-and-off. First he agreed to come at a time Fisher owed their players money but they settled up and the deal was off.

"Then it was on because he was not getting in the side. They gave him a run in the team and it was off. Now it's back on again.

"We lack pace in the team and I believe he might just give us an extra bit of sharpness."

Crawley's trip to Weymouth on Saturday February 24 has been moved to Tuesday February 27 as the hosts are still involved in FA Trophy action.