Crawley Town boss Mark Yates hopes to make up to four more signings by the end of the week – but is bracing himself for the loss of one of last season’s squad.

Yates has confirmed Reds have received an approach for one of his players but the target is not thought to be star striker Izale McLeod.

The Reds boss has stated his determination to keep hold of McLeod to spearhead Crawley’s challenge in League Two after he scored 21 goals in a struggling team last season.

The former Derby striker has attracted interest from League One clubs Millwall and Burton Albion over the summer and is expected to move on after having to accept a paycut along with the rest of the squad following relegation.

Reds are due to start pre-season training tomorrow with McLeod, pictured above, expected to be present for the club’s first session under Yates.

Yates is keeping the identity of the player who could depart close to his chest but any funds brought in would help the Reds boss further strengthen his squad having already brought in Simon Walton, Luke Rooney, Joe McNerney and Shamir Fenelon in the last two weeks.

Yates said: “More and more players are becoming available now and there are perhaps some names who we didn’t expect to be out there so there is lots to consider.

“We’re back in training tomorrow but we don’t have a competitive game for another two weeks so there is no huge rush.

“We’ve got some trialists coming down to help us out with numbers but ideally I’d like another three or four in by the end of the week.”

Crawley have already enquired about the possibility of taking England under-20 international Christian Walton on loan from Albion and Yates expects some news on the goalkeeper situation “in the next couple of days”.