Rob Kember today targeted a poignant return to Crawley's starting line-up and admitted: "I'm lucky to be alive".

The Reds midfielder is back in contention six weeks after being involved in a horrific car crash.

He lost control of a BMW borrowed from his father, the former Crystal Palace manager Steve, and smashed through a two-storey house in Warlingham, Surrey, while the elderly occupants slept upstairs.

Amazingly, Kember escaped with cuts and bruises and has been ruled out of action since with an ankle injury he picked up at Exeter the week before.

The 23-year-old, who started the first six games of the season, came on for the last 20 minutes of last week's 1-0 defeat at Stevenage and wants his place back at Tamworth tomorrow.

Speaking for the first time since the crash, Kember said: "It was a serious accident and I know I'm lucky to be alive and to still be able to play.

"It's really good to be back because I love my football and I don't know what I would do if I couldn't play.

"I am upset about all the damage I caused. But no one got hurt and I only got scratches so you have to say it was lucky.

"It hasn't affected me too much, although it would have been nice to have been playing to keep my mind off it.

"I'm still waiting to hear from the police if there is anything that needs to be dealt with, but other than that it's all over with now as far as I'm concerned.

"I just want to get back in the team and get playing again.When you lose your place, you have to work hard to get it back and that is what I am planning to do."

Crawley lost once in five games before tough-tackling Kember was sidelined during the 3-2 defeat at St James' Park and have won just twice in seven games since.

Manager Francis Vines has struggled to find a replacement in the holding midfield role - Ian Simpemba, Fiston Manuella and Paul Armstrong have all been asked to fill the gap.

Kember said: "I was in the team regularly at the start of the season and we did quite well, so hopefully I can knock on the door and get back in.

"We have been a bit inconsistent lately, especially away from home, and we know we have a chance at Tamworth to put that right and to try and start a run.

"If we can do that then we can do well this season because our home form has been good."

Kember completed 90 minutes for the reserves in the 2-2 draw at Aldershot on Tuesday alongside Mo Harkin and Kevin Hemsley.

Harkin is pushing for a starting place following his return from an ankle injury and Hemsley has recovered from a knee injury suffered during a month's loan at Welling.

Ben Judge (foot), Dan Marney (hamstring) and Allan Tait (back) are all doubtful.

Tamworth, fifth from bottom, have won two of their last three league games, following a run of seven games without a victory.

They lost 3-1 to Stafford Rangers in the Staffordshire Senior Cup on Tuesday.