Joe Walsh is on the verge of signing a new one-year deal at Crawley.

Boss Richie Barker confirmed yesterday he expects the Wales under-21 international defender to pledge his future to the Reds in the next few days. Walsh, 20, joined Crawley on a free transfer from Swansea last August and was considered a player for the future.

However, he has since become a regular in the side, making 29 appearances and scoring three goals as well as earning his Wales call-up.

Walsh was restricted to two League Cup appearances for Swansea but Crawley see him as part of their long term plans.

Barker said: “Joe Walsh is nearly sorted out. Hopefully he will be signing a new one-year contract pretty quickly.

“We brought him in from a reserve team having been nowhere near the first team. To have played more than half a season now and become established as an under-21 international for someone who came in as a squad player he has done excellently.”

Barker will check on the fitness of Matt Sparrow today before deciding whether he can play away to MK Dons tomorrow.

The former Albion midfielder came off early with a tight hamstring against Shrewsbury on Monday.

Barker said: “He had a little bit of a hamstring problem after the game last Friday but it was not a pull, just a nerve problem. As he was trying to sprint during the game (on Monday) it was getting tighter and tighter. We could have kept him on but the chances are if he carried on any longer and pulled it he could be out for the season.”