Crawley will face a player who turned down a move to Leyton Orient for another crack at FA Cup glory.

Geoff Pitcher, Albion's pint-sized midfielder, has joined Dagenham and Redbridge instead on a month's loan and he is expected to feature in the Conference outfit's second round tie at Broadfield Stadium on Saturday.

The Third Division O's were not the only professional club interested in taking Pitcher. "I had a couple of League clubs come in for me, but it meant moving away from home at Christmas," he revealed.

"One of them, Leyton Orient, wanted to turn it into a permanent deal and I didn't want to. I am not going to be rushed into any decisions yet.

"I didn't want to go there now because I'm not match fit at the moment. I need to play five or six games before I'm ready.

"I know Garry (Hill) from my time in non-League. He is a good manager and Dagenham are a good team.

"He told me the club are looking to get to the third round and into the Conference play-offs after finishing second last year.

"He has asked me to help them do that. Hopefully I can help them beat Crawley on Saturday.

"In the two years I was at Kingstonian we got to the third and the fourth round. It's always nice for non-League clubs to do well in the FA Cup. You never know, we could beat Crawley on Saturday and then get Man United in the third round."

It is almost a year since Pitcher made the last of his ten League appearances for Albion as a substitute in the home game against Chesterfield.

He spent the latter part of last season on loan to Woking and was sidelined at the start of this season by a heel injury.

The 27-year-old made his Dagenham debut in last Saturday's 3-3 draw at Halifax, where they recovered from 3-0 down to pinch a point with a brace by ex-Seagull Junior McDougald.

Pitcher is just relieved to be playing first team football again, although he has not given up hope of forcing his way into Steve Coppell's plans when he returns.

"Ask anyone what it is like when Saturday comes if you are not involved," he said. "You have trained all week and you've got no end product.

"When you are back playing again it makes such a difference. You have got something to look forward to at the end of the week and you are training for a purpose.

"It was good to be playing again. I felt a bit tired in the last 15 to 20 minutes at Halifax, but that was to be expected.

"I have spoken to Steve Coppell and I am not in his plans at the moment simply because of the fact I haven't played enough games.

"I've played three 90 minutes this season, which is not a lot, and I've been out for four months, but I haven't written myself off."

Meanwhile, Crawley boss Billy Smith hopes to have a full-strength squad from which to choose.

Full-back Ernie Cooksey twisted his ankle in Tuesday's 1-1 draw against Chippenham in the Dr Martens premier division but is expected to be fit, as are a quartet of players who were rested.

Neil Le Bihan (knee), Mo Harkin (thigh) and Ellis Hooper (shin) all missed the game as a precaution and top scorer Nic McDonnell came off the bench in the second half after straining his calf at the weekend.

Le Bihan is the biggest worry after picking up a knee injury in Saturday's 1-0 win at Cambridge City in the FA Trophy.

Should the ex-Peterborough midfielder fail a late fitness test, Kevin Hemsley will deputise.