Canvey Island striker Junior McDougald is preparing for a nostalgic return to Sussex - and he has some positive news for Crawley.

McDougald, who spent two years at Albion in the mid-1990s, is hoping to lead the line for the Gulls against fifth-placed Reds at The Broadfield Stadium tomorrow.

McDougald, 30, is backing Reds to reach the Conference play-offs, despite being the only part-time club in the top 12.

The Texas-born striker speaks from personal experience. He played for the successful part-time Dagenham and Redbridge team that took non-league's elite by storm after being promoted from the Ryman premier division in 2000.

The Daggers finished third and second in their first two seasons, before reaching the inaugural play-off final in 2003 after clinching fifth place.

They came within a whisker of gaining Football League status, losing 3-2 to an extra-time golden goal against Doncaster Rovers at Stoke's Britannia Stadium.

McDougald said: "It is possible to reach the Conference play-offs as a part-time team.

"I'm not surprised Crawley are where they are because the same sort of thing happened when I was at Dagenham.

"We were part-time but we finished in the top five in three out of four seasons I was there. A lot of people make a big deal about the part-time clubs in the Conference but if you have a good set of players and a good manager then you can do well.

"You are at a disadvantage in terms of fitness and you don't get the benefits of working so much with the ball and set-pieces. But if you can find a way of getting round that, you have as much chance as any full-time team.

"We showed it at Dagenham and Aldershot showed it last season, so there is no reason why Crawley can't carry on doing well."

McDougald, who has scored five goals this season, admits Canvey face a tough task to halt Crawley's formidable home form.

The Islanders have won only two of their last 11 league games, while Reds have lost just once at The Broadfield this season.

McDougald, though, is relishing the prospect of returning to Sussex. He has fond memories of the county where he made 95 appearances for the Seagulls, before moving on to Rotherham, Millwall and Leyton Orient.

The former Tottenham apprentice also scored for Dagenham in his previous visit to Crawley, a 2-1 FA Cup second round win in 2002.

He said: "The Broadfield is an impressive stadium with an impressive set-up and it is a great place to play football. I scored the last time I played there so I have good memories of the place.

"I'm really looking forward to coming down to the area again. Jeff Minton is another former Brighton player at Canvey and we are always reminiscing about our time in Sussex.

"I really liked it down there and I will be using the opportunity to catch up with a few people. I am getting married in August and it will be a good chance for my girlfriend to meet some of my old mates before the wedding."

Crawley have injury doubts about midfielders Paul Armstrong and Mo Harkin. Both players suffered knee injuries in last week's 3-2 win at Farnborough.

Sean Hankin returns after being rested for Tuesday's Sussex Senior Cup win against Hailsham but faces competition for the leftback position from Sacha Opinel.