Crawley look set to fail in their attempt to extend goalkeeper Lewis Price’s loan from Crystal Palace.

Price’s one-month stay at the Checkatrade.com Stadium came to an end after Saturday’s 2-1 home defeat at the hands of Port Vale.

Manager John Gregory was keen to keep hold of the Wales international, pictured right, but Palace have indicated they want him back at Selhurst Park.

It means Brian Jensen will make his first start for more than two months in the crucial game at fellow strugglers Leyton Orient on Boxing Day.

Jensen has not featured since conceding five times at Notts County and was put on the transfer list last month.

Reds will also travel to Brisbane Road without a substitute goalkeeper having terminated the contract of Jamie Ashdown four weeks ago.

Crawley will be boosted by the return of Gwion Edwards against Orient. The former Swansea winger has recovered from a hernia operation three weeks ago but full-back Lanre Oyebanjo remains a doubt with a calf injury and top scorer Izale McLeod completes a three-game ban.

Orient are missing at least six players through injury but Chris Dagnall returns following suspension.