Reds skipper is "irreplaceable" (From The Argus)

Reds skipper is "irreplaceable"

9:30am Tuesday 23rd October 2012 in Sport By Mike Legg

Crawley boss Richie Barker says skipper Gary Alexander is irreplaceable.

The striker is set to lead the line tonight when eighth-placed Milton Keynes Dons visit the Broadfield Stadium.

Barker rested frontman Nicky Ajose in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Hartlepool and brought in Jonathan Forte but the Crawley boss admits there is little chance of Alexander getting a break any time soon – because he does so much for the team other than score goals.

The midfielders and defenders have been banging in the goals for Reds in the last nine matches but Barker insists it is a team-effort.

Barker said: “The strikers are working extremely hard in what they are doing and it is only a matter of time before it turns. As a group there are no superstars and nothing about who it is or who it isn’t.

“Gary led the line extremely well at Hartlepool and towards the end there was only one thing he was interested in and that was winning the game. He had no thoughts about going and scoring goals as long as we won and that speaks volumes about him as a captain.

“Does Gary need a rest? Quite possibly but I don’t have a like-for-like replacement for him. What Gary brings to us other than what people see is important.

“He’s a leader, a captain and defends set-pieces so he is on there for quite a few things and some point he could do with a break if I had another Gary Alexander but unfortunately I haven’t.”

Centre-half Kyle McFadzean had an X-ray yesterday after suffering a heavy blow to the ribs and his injury will be monitored while Claude Davis came through without any problems other that stiffness. Joe Walsh (hamstring), who missed the trip to Victoria Park, should return to training later in the week.

The secret behind Hope Akpan's goalscoring form - in The Argus today