Crawley boss Mark Yates today turned up the heat on want-away striker Izale McLeod – by telling him he could face a season on the sidelines.

Last term’s top scorer reported at Whitehawk for Reds’ final pre-season friendly, which they lost 2-1.

But he told Yates he was unwell and pulled out of the game 90 minutes before kick-off.

McLeod, who stayed to watch the game, wants to leave the relegated Reds one year into his two-year deal.

He is still expected to depart during the current transfer window and, one way or another, appears to have played his last game for Crawley.

Yates said: “We’ve had an offer but it doesn’t match our valuation.

“I know Izale doesn’t want to be at the football club.

“If someone pays us what we think he is worth, he will go.

“If not, he will be in the stand all season. We’ll see where we go with it.

“He has made it abundantly clear to me that he doesn’t want to be at the football club and he doesn’t want us to stand in his way. I don’t want people like that.

“If he wants to have a season doing nothing, then that’s fine with me.”

McLeod has attracted League One interest and Reds would hope to bring in a six-figure fee for his services.

Yates admitted the better side won at the Enclosed Ground today but remains pleased with pre-season as a whole.

Gwion Edwards headed home Bobson Bawling’s terrific cross to reward a very bright start by the visitors, who should have increased their lead.

But Danny Mills fired Hawks level and Jake Robinson set up Sam Deering’s deserved winner after the break.

The decisive goal was contentious at the time as the flag went up against Robinson for offside but play was waved on.

Yates later confirmed Luke Rooney had been playing the Hawks man onside while lying injured, unseen by the referee’s assistant.

Hawks boss Steven King said: “We are making steps all the time. We are limited on numbers but we acquitted ourselves well. I was pleased with the performance.”