New interim boss Dean Saunders' hopes of launching his time in charge at Crawley have been hit by injuries.

Saunders will be in the dugout for the first time against fellow strugglers Colchester United today having only took over from John Gregory – who has stepped down due to health reasons – yesterday.

The former Albion striker was already without Josh Simpson, Lanre Oyebanjo and Sonny Bradley who missed the 4-1 defeat to Leyton Orient on Boxing Day.

Dean Leacock has joined the absentees through illness while Ryan Dickson is also unavailable having been rushed back from a hernia operation.

It means Saunders has been forced to name an experimental team with a host of players being asked to do a job in unfamiliar positions.

Midfielder Marvin Elliott will drop into the centre of defence alongside Joe Walsh with Jimmy Smith at right-back and Bobson Bawling on the left.

The centre of midfield also looks lightweight with Conor Henderson partnering Lewis Young with striker Shaun Miller on the right and Gwion Edwards the left.

The one positive for Saunders is the return of top scorer Izale McLeod from suspension and he partners Matt Harrold in attack with Gavin Tomlin dropping to the bench.

Colchester make one change to the side which lost 2-1 at home to Gillingham on Boxing Day, Sammie Szmodics coming in for Craig Eastmond in midfield.

Crawley (4-4-2): Jensen; Smith, Elliott, Walsh, Bawling; Miller, Young, Henderson, Edwards; Harrold, McLeod. Subs: Tomlin, O’Connor, Banya, Richefond, Isaacs.

Colchester (4-3-3): Walker; Clohessy, Gorkss, Eastman, Gordon; Moncur,. Szmodics, Fox; Massey, Sears, Hewitt. Subs: Lenington, Eastmond, Watt, Healey, Bonne, Lapslie, Kpekawa.