Rookie goalkeeper Jamie Anderson will be thrown in at the deep end on Saturday when Crawley travel to Telford in the first round of the FA Cup.

The 20-year-old who was playing Sunday league football last year will make his competitive debut for the Reds after first choice keeper Andy Little suffered a broken cheekbone in Saturday's 3-2 Dr Martens premier division victory over Chippenham.

Manager Francis Vines is unable to bring in another stopper because FA Cup rules state players must be signed at least seven days in advance but he has no doubts that reserve team keeper Anderson will rise to the challenge.

Vines said: "He may have only played for us once in pre-season but I have got a lot of confidence in him.

"We haven't got much choice but I am sure he won't let us down. There is no chance of him being fazed by the occasion as he is a cocky little so-and-so and is up for it.

"He is a good shot-stopper and if he has a weakness it is that he is a little bit small. If he was a few inches taller he would be pushing Andy for a place in the first team anyway so as long as we defend properly in front of him and deal with any high balls into our area then there shouldn't be a problem."

Little was stretchered off after just two minutes on Saturday when he collided with team-mate Marc Pullan.

He had an operation to put a pin in his cheek last night and is likely to be out of action for up to six weeks.